Overview
The Normative Modelling of Resting-state Eeg Across the Lifespan for Application in the Early Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Disorde r programme from University of Dundee will provide a reference model to which individual cases can be compared, allowing for inference about the likely presence or absence of a disease which is informed by richer biological and social information than typical case-control studies allow for.
With a rapidly aging human population worldwide, neurodegenerative diseases represent a pressing medical and societal concern. Given the increase in life expectancy, dementia is expected to affect almost 152 million people by 2050.
Currently, there is no cure for many age-related diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but early intervention can meaningfully delay neurodegeneration. For this reason, developing techniques for early and accurate diagnosis is critical and novel biomarkers can facilitate the development and validation of new therapies.
Current AD biomarkers rely on measures from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), positron emission tomography (PET) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, these techniques are relatively invasive, expensive, and often difficult to access.
Electroencephalography (EEG) represents a promising low-cost, non-invasive alternative that is already implemented in healthcare systems worldwide and has been shown to reliably dissociate AD patients from healthy controls (Benwell et al., 2020; Flores-Sandoval et al., 2023). However, to date EEG studies have been limited to case-control designs focussing on average differences between patients and healthy participants.
Unfortunately, because AD represents a highly heterogeneous disorder with marked individual differences in age of onset, clinical presentation, progression rates and neuropathological hallmarks, previous EEG studies may have been hindered in their attempt to identify sensitive and specific biomarkers
Research Opportunity
Here, we propose to adopt a ‘normative modelling’ approach to map trajectories of EEG activity over the lifespan whilst accounting for key variables such as sex, level of education, socioeconomic status and more.
Existing and new resting-state EEG data will be combined to develop the model, and a key outcome of the project will be an open-source Python toolbox which will allow for iterative growth of the model by researchers around the world for application in improved diagnosis and tracking of various neurodegenerative diseases, including AD but also potentially many more.
The PhD candidate will gain extensive knowledge and skills in neuropsychology, neurophysiology, computational modelling and coding in both Matlab and Python. They will collaborate with researchers at universities across the UK (Glasgow, Bath, Cardiff) and Harvard Medical School in the US. Other spin-off projects in line with the interests and skills of the candidate will be possible. The candidate will join the vibrant cognitive neuroscience community in Psychology at the University of Dundee and will be part of a very friendly and supportive team.
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Visit programme websiteProgramme Structure
The psychologists work on world-leading research across five key areas
- Clinical
- Cognitive
- Cognitive neuroscience
- Developmental
- Social
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Visit programme websiteKey information
Duration
- Full-time
- 36 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- StartingApplication deadline not specified.
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Disciplines
Public Health Neuroscience Health Sciences View 243 other PhDs in Health Sciences in United KingdomExplore more key information
Visit programme websiteAcademic requirements
English requirements
We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.
Student insurance
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- Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
- Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
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- Home contents and baggage
- Accidents
- Legal aid
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Other requirements
General requirements
- Honours degree at 2.1 or above in a relevant discipline.
- In certain circumstances we may ask you to spend a year completing our Master's degree in Psychological Research Methods before you commence your doctoral research. The decision about the suitability of your qualifications is made by the potential supervisor and the schools postgraduate advisor.
Make sure you meet all requirements
Visit programme websiteTuition Fee
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International
20895 GBP/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 20895 GBP per year during 36 months. -
National
4825 GBP/yearTuition FeeBased on the tuition of 4825 GBP per year during 36 months.
Living costs for Dundee
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
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Scholarships Information
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Normative Modelling of Resting-state Eeg Across the Lifespan for Application in the Early Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Disorde.
Available Scholarships
You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.
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