About the Project
Identifying and evaluating imaging biomarkers for individuals with high risk of developing dementia is critical for early diagnosis, intervention and prevention. PhD candidates with background in either neuroscience, psychology, neuroimaging, computer science, physic or related subjects are welcome to join Professor Li Su’s research group studying early neuroimaging biomarkers related to different risk factors of dementia in middle-aged healthy adults. Professor Li Su is Professor of Neuroimaging in the Flagship Neuroscience Institute at Sheffield University and Principal Investigator in Department of Psychiatry at University of Cambridge.
This PhD project will be based on existing data sets from an ongoing study containing a cohort of 700 cognitively healthy participants (the PREVENT-Dementia Study https://preventdementia.co.uk). The study sites include Cambridge, Oxford, Edinburgh, London and Dublin. Each participant had 3T MRI and neuropsychological testing as well as genetics. We will analyse the data using both conventional methods to compare different risk groups and advanced imaging analysis and modelling approaches including those based on machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). There is also an opportunity for the candidate to propose additional sub-studies and involve with collecting novel data as parts of the PhD. The student will also have access to supports from other departments in the University such as Department of Computer Science via co-supervision.
The study will reveal early changes of brain structure and function correlated with different genetic risk factors such as APOE e4 and family history of dementia. Identifying the very early signs of brain changes related to genetic risk of late onset AD allows us to understand when and how AD pathology starts to affect our brains. This has important implications for early diagnosis, prevention and promoting cognitive and brain resilience to dementia and neurodegeneration. The PREVENT-Dementia study is a world-leading consortium investigating dementia prevention. Previous research based on this data set has been published in many high impact journals such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must have a first or upper second class honours degree in cognitive neuroscience, psychology, computer science, mathematics, physics or engineering. Previous experience with functional MRI analysis is highly desirable.
You must be a national of, and reside in, mainland China (not including Hong Kong or Macau). You must also be intending to return to China once your programme is completed. You will require an unconditional offer from the University of Sheffield including meeting both academic and English language criteria.
HOW TO APPLY
Prospective candidates will need to apply for postgraduate research here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/phd/apply/applying where they will also be asked to fill in a google form specifically for the Joint China Scholarship Council scheme.
Please clearly state the prospective main supervisor in the respective box and select Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease as the department.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 26th February 2021.
References
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