PhD Study : Nutrition, Genetic Factors and the Ageing Brain

Summary

Globally, the population is ageing rapidly. Between 2015 and 2050, the WHO estimates that the proportion of the world’s population over 60 years will nearly double (WHO, 2017). Mental disorders are a leading cause of disability in older adults. According to the WHO (2017), over 20% of adults over 60 years of age will experience a mental or neurological disorder; dementia and depression are the most common of these disorders. Dementia currently affects 50 million people worldwide and this is set to triple and reach 152 million by 2050. Depression is the second leading cause of disability, estimated to affect 7% of older adults. Preventing or delaying these disorders should therefore be a public health priority. Increasing age and genetic susceptibility are the biggest risk factors for developing dementia, but a number of health and lifestyle factors are linked with an increased risk of cognitive dysfunction and dementia including smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity and socioeconomic factors (Calder et al 2018; McCann et al 2018). Specific dietary components have been investigated in relation to brain health, with emerging evidence supporting protective roles for n-3 PUFA, polyphenols, vitamin D and B-vitamins (Moore et al 2018).

At this time, the totality of evidence is strongest in support of roles for folate and the metabolically related B-vitamins (vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and riboflavin) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in slowing the rate of cognitive decline and possibly reducing the risk of depression in ageing (Moore et al 2018; Porter et al 2019). Recent evidence from this centre indicated that a lower biomarker status of folate, vitamin B6 or riboflavin was associated with an increased risk of depression in older Irish adults while deficient vitamin B6 status was associated with increased anxiety (Moore et al, 2019) and rate of cognitive decline (Hughes et 2017). Conversely, daily consumption of B-vitamin fortified food was associated with a 54% reduced risk of depression in this population.

The role of genetic factors in the ageing brain is paramount, but poorly understood, and the area remains challenging owing to the limited availability of human studies using whole-genome sequencing approaches. The two potentially inter-related areas in relation to brain health in ageing that this doctorate will address are nutrition and genetics.

The overall aim of this PhD will be to explore the ageing brain in relation to the roles of specific nutrient factors and relevant genetics factors, and identify potential gene-nutrient interactions. The outcomes will contribute to the evidence linking nutrition with cognitive function and depression in ageing, with the potential to develop strategies based on improved nutrition that could improve quality of life in our ageing population.

Please note: Applications for more than one PhD studentships are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living