mercredi 2 juillet 2008

Understanding the neurobiology of cognitive abnormalities in psychiatric disorders

Cognitive function is altered in a number of psychiatric disorders including depression and schizophrenia. Many of the specific functions altered are thought to involve the prefrontal cortex. This project will attempt to define how aetiological factors (such as elevated glucocorticoids or stress) associated with these diseases impact on cognitive performance and how any change in performance relates to changes in neuronal function and structure in the prefrontal cortex.

During the course of the study the student will use a number of in vivo and ex vivo methodologies in laboratory rodents, including behavioural models of cognitive function, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and electrophysiology to measure neuronal function, and histological techniques to identify changes in neuronal structure. Studies will be carried out both at Newcastle University, within the Psychobiology Research Group’s laboratories in the Institute of Neuroscience, and at Organon Laboratories’ Drug Discovery Research Centre at Newhouse, Scotland. The results of this study will contribute towards our understanding of the neurobiology and neuropathology of common psychiatric diseases and will also highlight potential treatment targets in these diseases.

Funding Notes
Value of the Award

Due to funding criteria, this award is only available to UK and EU applicants. The award covers fees and an annual stipend (£15,940 pa). Non-UK EU nationals must be resident in the UK for three years prior to the start of the studentship to qualify for the full award. If they do not meet this condition, they will be eligible for a fees only award.



Supervisory Team: Dr S Gartside, Prof C Ingram, Dr R McQuade
Institute: Institute of Neuroscience
Sponsor: MRC (Working with Industry) Organon Laboratories Ltd
Project Start Date: October 2008
Duration of Award: 3 years

Person Specification

Applicants must have a first-class or upper-second-class degree, or equivalent, in biomedical science, neuroscience, pharmacology or related discipline.

You must apply through the University’s postgraduate application form, inserting the reference number ION63 and selecting PhD Faculty of Medical Sciences as the programme of study. Only mandatory fields need to be completed (no personal statement required) and a covering letter, CV and (if English is not your first language) a copy of your English language qualifications must be attached. The covering letter must state the title of the studentship, quote the reference number ION63 and state how your interests and experience relate to the project.


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