Exercise and the brain: the effects of physical-cognitive dual-task training on cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular function in individuals with increased risk of dementia

This is a full-time, self-funded PhD opportunity in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. It is open to both home and overseas students.

PROJECT CONTACT

Tiago Pecanha ([email protected]))

PROJECT ADVERT

Increasing evidence indicates that age- and disease-related reduction in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and impairment in cerebrovascular function can accelerate cognitive decline and increase the risk of dementia.

This data highlights the importance of developing and testing the efficacy of interventions that can increase CBF and improve cerebrovascular function in populations at increased risk of dementia.

This PhD project aims to develop and test the cerebrovascular effects of an innovative exercise intervention that combines physical activity with cognitive tasks, referred to here as physical-cognitive dual-task training.

The PhD student will utilise Manchester Metropolitan University’s state-of-the-art exercise laboratories, Transcranial Doppler and 3T MRI scanner to comprehensively investigate the acute and long-term responses of physical-cognitive dual-task training on global and regional cerebral blood flow, and on cerebrovascular and cognitive function in ageing individuals (40-70 years) with increased risk of dementia.

Data obtained from this PhD will provide evidence for the efficacy of dual-task training as a potential preventive intervention for dementia and will determine an appropriate protocol that could be tested in large-scale interventions.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This PhD project aims to develop and investigate the effectiveness of physical-cognitive dual-task training on cerebrovascular health in middle-aged-to-older individuals at increased risk of dementia.

Specifically, this PhD project will:

1. Develop and implement a protocol of physical-cognitive dual-task training targeted to middle-aged-to-older adults with an increased risk of dementia. Specifically, we will test participants’ engagement, mental load, and cerebral blood flow (CBF) responses across a range of cognitive tasks combined with submaximal aerobic exercise and determine the most feasible physical-cognitive dual-task training protocol for that population.
2.  
3. Investigate the acute effects of physical-cognitive dual-task training on CBF. Specifically, we will measure CBF and oxygenation/metabolism responses across multiple brain regions simultaneously using high-resolution fMRI during a single session of physical-cognitive dual-task training inside the MRI scanner.
4. Investigate the effectiveness of physical-cognitive dual-task training for middle-aged-to-older individuals with an increased risk of dementia. Specifically, we will test the effects of four weeks of an in-lab physical-cognitive dual-task training intervention on MRI-based measures of regional CBF and cerebrovascular function/structure, brain-blood biomarkers, and cognition.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROJECT

In addition to the standard entry requirements for PhD programmes at Manchester Metropolitan University, applicants should have:

• Knowledge and some experience of standard research techniques and methods to assess cerebral blood flow and/or cognitive function
• Some experience in developing and conducting exercise interventions
• The ability to collate, interpret, analyse and present data
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should contact Dr Tiago Pecanha for an informal discussion. Associated project costs (in addition to fees) will be £2,000 or £5,000 per year depending on the nature of the finalised project. This has no bearing on the review of the applicants

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Sport and Exercise Science (or download the PGR application form).

You should also complete the PGR thesis proposal and Narrative CV form addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have maps to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

If applying online, you will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section, or email the application form and statement to [email protected].

Closing date 15 July 2024.

Expected start date October 2024.

Please quote the reference: SciEng-TP-2024-DT