PhD Study : Nutrition and Brain Health in Ageing

Apply and key information  

Summary

Background Globally, the population is ageing and it is estimated that there will be over 2 billion people aged 60 years and over by 2050 (WHO 2017). Mental disorders are a leading cause of disability in older people, estimated to affect over 20% of adults over 60 years of age, with dementia and depression being the most common disorders. Dementia currently affects 50 million people worldwide and this is set to triple by 2050. Depression is the second leading cause of disability, affecting 7% of older adults.

Preventing or delaying the onset of 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 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 Bvitamins (Moore et al 2018). At this time, the evidence is strongest in support of a role for folate and the metabolically related B-vitamins (vitamin B12, vitamin B6 and riboflavin) in slowing the progression 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 lower B-vitamin status was associated with an increased risk of depression and anxiety in older people. Furthermore, daily consumption of B-vitamin fortified food was associated with a 54% reduced risk of depression in this population (Moore et al, 2019). 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 (WGS) approaches.

This PhD project will evaluate the roles of specific nutritional and genetic factors in relation to the ageing brain. The outcomes will contribute to the evidence linking nutrition with cognition and depression in ageing, with the potential to develop nutritional strategies that could improve quality of life in our ageing population.

This PhD project will utilise and build substantially upon a large, all-island collaborative ageing and health study i.e. the Trinity-Ulster, Department of Agriculture (TUDA) study. The TUDA resource was established to assess nutritional, environmental and clinical factors in relation to health in ageing and provides extensive data on over 5000 adults of 60+ years across Ireland. State-of-the-art genomic methodologies will be used to complete WGS on biobanked samples from the TUDA participants (from which candidate genes of relevance to brain health such as the apolipoprotein E will be selected).

Available biomarker and dietary data, along with extensive health data, will be interrogated to investigate specific nutrients, genetic factors and relevant gene-nutrient interactions, in relation to cognitive function and depression in older adults, and the progression of brain health over time in a subset of the original cohort.

This project will suit applicants with a primary or MSc degree in nutrition or dietetics who have excellent interpersonal skills and are willing to learn new skills.

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the 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

Recommended reading

1. Calder PC, Carding SR, Christopher G, et al. A holistic approach to healthy ageing: how can people live longer, healthier lives? Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics 2018; 31: 4390-45.

2. McCann A, McNulty H, Rigby J, et al. Effect of area-level socioeconomic deprivation on risk of cognitive dysfunction in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2018; 66: 1269-1275.

3. Moore K, Hughes CF, Ward M, Hoey L, McNulty H. Diet, nutrition and the ageing brain; current evidence and new directions. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2018; 77: 152- 163.

4. Moore K, Hughes CF, Hoey L, et al. B-vitamins in relation to depression in older adults over 60 years of age: The TUDA Cohort study. Journal of American Medical Directors Association 2019; 20: 551-557.

5. Porter KM, Ward M, Hughes CF, et al. Hyperglycemia and metformin use are associated with B-vitamin deficiency and cognitive dysfunction in older adults. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2019; 104(10): 4837-4847.

6. World Health Organisation. Mental Health of Older Adults, 2017 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-healthof-older-adults.

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Friday 5 February 2021
12:00AM

Interview Date
Weeks commencing 15th and 22nd March 2021

Preferred student start date
Mid-September 2021

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Catherine Hughes

Other supervisors