Effect of dietary vitamin B supplementation on brain synaptic activity

Numerous studies have demonstrated the importance of vitamins B6, B12 and folate, for optimal physiological and neurological functioning. Deficiency in one or more vitamins in this family can lead to haematological and neurological diseases such as megaloblastic anaemia, depression and dementia including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia in elderly people. However evidence for the benefit of dietary supplement of these B vitamins on mood, cognition and brain function is less clear.One way of assessing the neurological benefit of supplementing B6/B12/folate on cognitive functioning is to utilise modern neuroimaging techniques such as electroencephalogram (EEG). We recently demonstrated that EEG and local field potential (LFP) recordings can be interpreted in terms of the excitatory and inhibitory post-synaptic activities (Bruyns-Haylett et al 2016). This development makes it possible for the neurological consequences of vitamin B supplementation to be studied and interpreted in terms of changes in the dynamics of synaptic activity, with implication to altered cognitive behaviour. The objective of this project is to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of the vitamin B family (B6/B12/folate) on the excitatory and inhibitory synaptic activities in the brain, and the subsequent impact on behaviour. Using a rodent model, vitamins B6, B12, folate and their combinations will be administered through diet for one month. In vivo electrophysiological experiments will then be performed to record concurrently evoked LFPs and EEG signals in response to sensory stimulation and compare to those of the control group without dietary intervention. The study will be conducted in normal and aged rats. Results from these experiments will address (i) whether vitamin B supplementation can alter synaptic activity, (ii) if so, whether excitatory and inhibitory activities are still balanced after supplementation, and (iii) whether the supplementation differentially enhances neural activity in different age groups. During the programme, the student will be trained to conduct in vivo electrophysiological experiment, and to gain laboratory skills including immunohistochemistry. The student will also learn to analyse data using signal processing, statistical and mathematical modelling techniques. For potential applicants who would like to discuss further details of the project, please contact Prof Ying Zheng via email at: [Email Address Removed]

Applicants should have a Bachelor’s (at least 2.1 or equivalent) or Master’s degree in Science, Bio-Engineering, Medicine or a strongly related discipline. Experience in electrophysiology is desirable.