Lifestyle factors and brain health: a population neuroimaging approach

external supervisors

Klaus Ebmeier, Department of Psychiatry

BACKGROUND

Several lifestyle factors, including alcohol consumption, are proposed to affect brain health and later-life neurodegenerative conditions including dementia. However most lack a solid evidence base.

For the first time, with UK Biobank (world’s largest neuroimaging sample), we can apply large-scale neuroimaging to answer questions of population mental health.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE, RESEARCH METHODS AND TRAINING

The specific project subject can be tailored to the interests of the student. 

The aim is to investigate how exposures, such as alcohol intake, diet and drug use, relate to changes in brain MRI (rather than inter-individual differences). To achieve this we must overcome several challenges. A multitude of confounders exist. Lifestyle, confounders and MRI measures can change over time. You will learn state-of-the-art neuroimaging and epidemiological analysis techniques to achieve these goals.

FIELD WORK, SECONDMENTS, INDUSTRY PLACEMENTS AND TRAINING

Training opportunities include: epidemiology, imaging analysis, statistical methods and research dissemination through supervision and formal courses, including the renowned FMRIB graduate program.

PROSPECTIVE STUDENT

Background in medicine/psychiatry, epidemiology, public health, neuroimaging or statistics is beneficial. Postgraduate training an additional advantage but an aptitude to learning new skills and tenaciousness more vital.