PhD Study : Early predictors of mental health: the role of prenatal vitamin D status in neurodevelopment disorders in offspring

Summary

The Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS) is an established prospective mother-child cohort study investigating the risk-benefits of fish consumption during pregnancy on child development.  We have consistently reported that beneficial effects of maternal nutritional status (long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid status) from high fish consumption outweigh any adverse effects of prenatal methylmercury exposure on neurodevelopment.  Fish is also a rich source of vitamin D and together with high endogenous vitamin D synthesis from continual UV exposure from sunlight, places the SCDS in a unique position to investigate effects of prenatal vitamin D exposure on neurodevelopment.  Early-life vitamin D status modulates foetal programming and influences long-term development of the child including language and cognitive development, and susceptibility to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) phenotypes.  Furthermore, vitamin D is an immunomodulator and may potentially modify any adverse effects of methylmercury on these neurodevelopmental outcomes.

The overall objective of this study is to investigate the role of prenatal vitamin D status on child neurodevelopmental outcomes (primarily cognitive, language and motor development) and incident of ASD (at age 7 years) in a high-fish eating equatorial population.  This objective will be addressed through the following study aims and procedures.

STUDY 1: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the role of vitamin D in neurodevelopment including ASD.

STUDY 2: To assess the effects of prenatal vitamin D status on child neurodevelopment in a high fish eating equatorial population.  Vitamin D status will be measured in maternal and cord blood samples from the SCDS Nutrition Cohort 2 (NC2) using LC-MS/MS and statistical analysis will be carried out to assess relationships with a range of child neurodevelopmental outcomes assessed at 20 months (developmental delays) and 7 years of age (developmental delays and ASD screening).

STUDY 3: To work with SCDS collaborators at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, to investigate genetic factors influencing vitamin D status by examining both single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and DNA methylation of genes involved in the regulation of vitamin D metabolism.

STUDY 4: To investigate the potential modifying effects of prenatal vitamin D status on associations between methylmercury and neurodevelopment, and to examine immunomodulation as a potential mechanism.  Statistical analysis will be conducted in collaboration with SCDS biostatistians at University of Rochester, US using cytokine profile, methylmercury, vitamin D status and neurodevelopmental outcome data.

This project will involve working within an international multi-disciplinary research team from Ulster University, University of Rochester, US, Karolinska Institute, Sweden and the Republic of Seychelles.  Based at the Nutrition Innovation Centre for food and Health (NICHE) within the Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, this work involves collaboration with mental health researchers (Psychologists) from the Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing creating a new Ulster cross-disciplinary research team focusing on early-life predictors of neurodevelopment.  This work will provide important innovative data on the role of vitamin D in neurodevelopment and ASD as an early predictor of mental health to policy makers with the potential to impact maternal and child health worldwide.

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
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

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.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 65%
• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed
• Experience of presentation of research findings

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

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