Neuroimaging Insights into the Immediate Effect of Football Heading on Female Brain Function and Long-Term Dementia Risk

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

Dr Greg Wood ([email protected])

PROJECT ADVERT

Male, professional football players face a 3.5-times higher risk of dementia-related mortality compared to the general population. This link has been associated with the cumulative effects of repetitive football heading.

Despite these alarming statistics, surprisingly, very little is known about what happens to the brain after brief bouts of heading footballs and how these changes may be related to long-term brain health and conditions like dementia.

Additionally, female players are seriously underrepresented in this area of research despite being more susceptible to repetitive head impacts due to weaker neck muscles and hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle. This has led to recent media reports warning of a dementia ‘timebomb’ in female players.

This project provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate study within Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport, which is equipped with state-of-the-art sport science testing facilities. The research intends to delve into what happens in the brain immediately after repetitive bouts of heading and assess the contribution of hormonal changes through the menstrual cycle that have been shown to increase the severity and recovery from repeated head impacts in female players.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim of this project is to use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to uncover the immediate effects of repetitive head impacts on the brain function of female football players.

The project has three main objectives: 

1. To establish if female players are more susceptible to changes in brain function after short bouts of repetitive heading compared to male players.
2. To establish the effects of the menstrual cycle phase on the brain’s response to repetitive head impacts.
3. To establish the long-term effects of competitive heading on the brain function of female athletes.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROJECT

Ideally, the candidate will have: 

Essential

• A first or upper second-class BSc honours degree in physics, psychology, neuroscience, sport and exercise science, or another related discipline
• Proficiency in using script-based programming/signal processing software packages (such as SPSS, R, and MATLAB)

Desirable

• An MSc in physics, psychology, neuroscience, sport and exercise science, or another related discipline
• Experience of using and knowledge of neuroimaging techniques like MR, EEG and fNIRS.
• An ability to critique and analyse scientific evidence, methodology and data
• An ability to interpret and communicate complex data in terms that are easily understood by a variety of audiences
• An ability to maintain records and the organisation of data files
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should contact Dr Greg Wood ([email protected]) for an informal discussion. Associated Project Costs (in addition to fees) will be £2,000 per year or £5,000 per year depending on the nature of 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 Cognitive Neuroscience (Sport and Exercise Sciences) or download the PGR application form.

You should also complete the PGR thesis proposal and Narrative CVform 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-GW-2024-Neuroimaging-Insights