About the Project
Supervisors: Professor Mara Cercignani (Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex), Dr Chris Bird (School of Psychology, University of Sussex), Dr Marco Bozzali (Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex), and Professor Jennifer Rusted (School of Psychology, University of Sussex)
This Alzheimer’s Society funded PhD project will use state-of-the-art MRI and computational methods to map the pattern of changes in functional connectivity occurring in the brain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Disconnection was suggested as a mechanism for the spread of AD pathology1. However, the temporal sequence in which brain connectivity modifies during AD evolution, the effects that environmental and genetic factors have on it, and the causality between loss of function and loss of tissue (atrophy) is not clear. This project will use a Bayesian event-based model (EBM) of disease progression2 able to estimate temporal changes in given biomarkers from cross-sectional datasets. Functional and structural MRI data from patients (ranging from pre-clinical to early AD) and healthy controls will be analysed using state-of-the art techniques. Assuming our cohort will span the full spectrum of disease progression, from cognitively normal to mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease, the model will be first used to assess the temporal ordering in functional connectivity changes from younger age (<40 yo) to AD. Using buccal swabs and questionnaires3, information about the ApoE gene polymorphisms (associated with the risk of developing AD) and lifestyle will be integrated in the model. The successful applicant will have some technical background and be proficient in computer programming, primarily in Matlab, and data processing. This studentship is available through the Alzheimer’s Society-funded Doctoral Training Centre recently established at the University of Sussex to investigate the role of ApoE across the lifespan. The successful applicant will benefit from being part of a strong network of dementia researchers tackling this issue using approaches ranging from molecular biology to studying clinical populations.
1. Brier MR, et al. Brain Connectivity 2014
2. Young AL, et al. Brain 2014
3. Serra L et al. Neurobiol Aging 2015
Some knowledge of image processing and medical imaging is an advantage, as is some background in neuroscience or neurology
Applications should be made by 27th Jan 2017. The studentship is for 3.5 years and covers fees and a stipend at Research Council equivalent rates.
Eligibility requirements for potential candidates:
This award will only pay fees at the Home/EU rate.
Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a First or a high Upper Second Class Honours undergraduate degree, or equivalent qualification, and/or a Master’s degree in Neuroscience or a related discipline.
Only full time students will be accepted.
Guidance for applicants:
Application procedures can be found here: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/psychology/pgstudy/psychologyphdstudentships2017
Please submit an online application for the ’PhD in Psychology’ programme, for September 2017 entry through this link: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/applyhttp://www.suhttp://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/applyssex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply
State in the ’Funding information’ section of your online application that you are applying for this studentship, giving the title of the project as above and mention the first supervisor Professor Mara Cercignani in the ’Supervisor suggested by applicant’ section.
The proposed source of funding should be specified in the Award details section ’PhD studentship funded by the Alzheimer’s Society through the Doctoral Training Centre’
Candidates should provide:
A brief statement of interest (up to 2 pages)
A current degree transcript(s) with full details of performance on all completed courses.
IELTS/TOEFL results if residing in EU.
Two academic references.
An up-to-date CV.
Application deadline: 27/01/2017
Shortlisting: 3rd Feb 2017
Interviews: Late Feb/early March 2017
Contact details:
To discuss the details of this project further, please contact Professor Mara Cercignani: [Email Address Removed]
Further information
The School of Psychology is one of the largest centres for the study of psychology in the UK. We have nearly 40 academic faculty, about 100 research students and the same number of postgraduate students taking Master’s degrees. Our
undergraduate intake is about 250 a year, which gives us an academic community of nearly 1000 people working in a rich and supportive learning environment.
Psychology is a diverse discipline and our size means that we span major research areas in social, cognitive, biological, developmental and clinical psychology. Psychology at Sussex was rated 10th in the UK for research in the 2014 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). 91% of our research at Sussex is ranked as world-leading or internationally significant.
Funding Notes
This award will only pay fees at the Home/EU rate.
A stipend of £15,000 p.a. for the first year, rising to £16,000 p.a. for the following 2.5 years. UK/EU fees are also covered.
Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a First or a high Upper Second Class Honours undergraduate degree, or equivalent qualification, and/or a Master's degree in Neuroscience or a related discipline.
Only full time students will be accepted.
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