DiMeN Doctoral Training Partnership: Elucidating the impact of childhood emotional neglect on current undergraduate students: a neurocognitive and neuroimaging approach.

The mediation of the recognised impact of early adversity on the risk of depression is not understood and putative models of the relevant relationships are simplistic and inadequately tested. Rodent studies show that reduced maternal care causes a linear reduction in hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor (GR) regulation which, most likely via epigenetic mechanisms, is sustained into adulthood. Reduced hippocampal GR function reduces homeostatic control of cortisol. Cortisol excess has been shown to be neurotoxic and may underlie the reduced hippocampal volume seen in imaging (http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.161.4.598) and PM studies; an apparent consequence of reduced dentate gyrus neurogenesis, dendritic retraction and loss of glial cells. These atrophic changes can be expected to impact hippocampal function and certainly, deficits in hippocampal-dependent cognitions such as episodic memory and episodic future thinking (i.e., the ability to imagine ones’ personal future; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23846418) are routinely observed in individuals suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, and it is highly probable that a disruption to these cognitions plays a significant role in disease development and/or perseverance.

In a recent study we demonstrated a striking negative correlation (r=-0.86, p <0.01) between the degree of reported childhood emotional neglect (EN) and the level of detail and overall richness contained within recollected memories and imagined scenarios. Importantly, the participants in this study (n=32) were current Newcastle University students, aged between 18-24 years, represented a stratified sub-sample selected on the basis of their responses to an electronic EN questionnaire (completed by over 1000 students) and not on the basis of their current wellbeing, depression or anxiety levels. Moreover, when formally tested, these latter factors did not mediate the above effect, indicating that the detrimental impact of early emotional neglect on these cognitions appeared evident even when an observable impact on mental health was absent. Moreover, we observed no association between EN and general measures of cognitive proficiency. We also used an ex-vivo measure of GR function (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15056502) and demonstrated a correlation between this and hippocampal function (r=0.66).

In this studentship, structural equation modelling will be used in the development and testing of hippocampal dependent models of the mediation of the impact of early adversity on depression. An identical two-phase methodology utilised in the above study will be used here, whereby a large cohort (n=2000) will be sampled via electronic questionnaires and a stratified sub-sample recalled to complete ex vivo test of GR function and more extensive neuropsychological profiling of hippocampal-dependent and -independent tasks. Also, and with the help of existing funds, we will use both sMRI and fMRI to examine hippocampal and ‘core’ network (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18510452) structure and function.

In this way we aim to shed light on the neural, and ensuing cognitive, cost of early childhood adversity, to determine whether cognitions, intimately linked with the functionality of the hippocampus, are especially vulnerable to the impact of early adversity and offer an explanation as to how, and why, these early experiences have the potential to unleash such devastation on future mental health.

Funding notes:
DiMeN (Discovery Medicine North) DTP studentships are funded for 3.5 years and include the following annual package of financial support over the duration of the studentship:
•A tax-free maintenance grant set at the UK Research Council’s national postgraduate rate
•Full payment of tuition fees at the Home/EU rate
•A research training support grant (RTSG) to support your research studies (managed through the host institution)
•Opportunity to apply to our Flexible Fund to enable you to attend training workshops and visit research groups to advance your skills training.

Successful Home students will receive a full studentship. EU students will be considered for a full studentship or just fee support depending on the excellence of their qualifications and their employment/residency status (http://www.mrc.ac.uk/skills-careers/studentships/studentship-guidance/student-eligibility-requirements/). Overseas students are not eligible to apply.

Entry requirements:
You should be someone with an outstanding academic track record and can demonstrate your potential for the research project of your choice.
You must hold (or be expected to hold by October 2016) a First or a good 2:1 UK undergraduate degree, a suitable qualification at Masters level or an equivalent degree from a recognised EU institution, in the biosciences or a related area. The multidisciplinary training experience and interdisciplinary nature of some of our projects means that we welcome applications from students with physical science and/or mathematical backgrounds who are interested in using their skills to address the challenges of 21st century bioscience research.

How to apply:
Please carefully read the instructions on how to apply at our website and use the link on the page to apply: http://www.dimen.org.uk/how-to-apply/application-overview