Assessing the physical impact of a six-week yoga intervention on brain structure, function, cognition and inflammatory profile in healthy volunteers

Background

The use of yoga and meditation has increased in popularity as a positive health regulator in recent years and has been associated with several beneficial health outcomes in a variety of populations (1), including: upregulation of brain derived neurotrophic factor (2, 3); increased serotonin and decreased cortisol (3); increased grey matter volume (4, 5); regulation of the inflammatory cytokine profile (2); increased working memory and mindfulness (6) and decreased anxiety and depression (7). However, many of these studies are limited due to factors such as limited sample size, confounding variables and heterogeneity in yoga practices and outcome measures (1). Current neuroimaging data is limited and further information regarding structural connectivity and function using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is needed. More detailed and regulated studies are required to assess the physical impact of a yoga intervention on brain architecture and connectivity and how this relates to cognitive well-being and inflammatory biomarkers. Investigation of this in a healthy population may reveal insights into the potential clinical relevance of yoga as a preventative or therapeutic regulatory mechanism in pathological processes.

The aim of the PhD

The aim of the PhD is to use a variety of outcome measures to assess physiological changes following a 6-week yoga intervention in a healthy population. These measures will include both structural and functional MRI including DTI to investigate neural changes, measures of working memory and blood profile. From this, we hope to ascertain if a yoga is associated with positive physiological and cognitive outcomes; in the future, this yoga intervention could be applied to a patient population to potentially reduce susceptibility to or reduce progression of pathological processes.

Initial PhD research plan

• Review current evidence of impact of yoga on physiological/behavioural outcome measures
• Identify current techniques and outcomes used to measure impact
• Review current MR techniques used to evaluate structural and functional changes in the brain, including DTI to investigate potential changes in structural connectivity
• Develop study protocol based on previous study outcome measures with inclusion of functional and structural MRI techniques, cognitive assessment and blood profiling
• Learn advanced MR techniques working in/affiliated with the Liverpool BRAIN (Brain Imaging using Advanced Imaging in Neurology) laboratory
• Attend blood analysis and image analysis training
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training as a set requirement in the UK Policy Framework for Health and Social Care Research developed by the Health Research Authority for researchers conducting clinical research
• Submit the study for ethics approval
• Recruit participants for the study including matched controls once approvals are granted
• Study sample size is expected to be 50, 25 experiencing the yoga intervention and 25 matched controls, based on previous studies.

Candidate qualities

Essential qualities: Good first/upper second class degree in a relevant subject area, motivated, organised with an interest in neuroscience and medical imaging.

Desirable qualities: Masters degree in a relevant discipline. Prior research experience.

For informal enquiries please contact Dr. Kinsley: VKinsley@liverpool.ac.uk