Dr J Lunn, Prof S Helal
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
The cyclic alternating pattern (CAP) is observed during sleep and measured via polysomnography (PSG). The CAP is periodic and relatively long lasting compared to other sleep signals. It involves a set number of repetitions of other types of sleep events that occur during non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREM).
The CAP is a marker of sleep instability and arousal and alters in response to internal or external events. It provides insight into the sleep pathophysiology of different disorders (i.e. sleep apnea, insomnia, night terrors, depression, eating disorders, epilepsies) and can be used to assess the effectiveness of sleep-promoting drugs. The CAP has also been used to monitor the sleeping brain in different paediatric clinical conditions (paediatric disordered breathing, neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, learning difficulties, childhood epilepsies).
Current published data on the CAP in school aged children is based on small samples. The availability of mobile PSG devices permits digital data collection with larger samples. This can provide normative reference data for clinical practice and inform research on child neurodevelopment.
Work Package 1 of the PhD will validate at-home sleep monitoring of the CAP in 20 healthy adults using a mobile PSG device and subsequently collect CAP data on a sample of 100 healthy children and adolescents. The PhD will involve ongoing impact activities to ensure the resultant dataset is widely shared amongst clinicians and researchers.
In work Package 2 the candidate will design and conduct an independent research project on a related topic completed within the time frame of the 3 year programme with the aim of establishing an independent postdoctoral research agenda.
For further information about the project contact [Email Address Removed] or [Email Address Removed]
Applications are made by completing an application for PhD Medicine October 2019 through our online application system. Closing date: midnight 15th March 2019
Funding Notes
Awards are available for UK or EU students only for a maximum of three years full-time study. Awards will cover University Tuition Fees and stipend at Research Council Doctoral Stipend Level (2018-2019: £14,777).
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