PhD Studentship co-funded by EPSRC and National Brain Appeal: Visual System Vulnerability in Dementia: from Detection to Determinants

Cortical visual impairments (‘brainsight’, not eyesight loss) are disabling consequences of dementia associated with particular diagnostic and management needs. Such impairments have been reported in the majority of people with Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in posterior cortical atrophy (‘visual-led dementia’) where these symptoms precede loss of memory, language and insight. People with dementia-related visual impairment are usually seen first by eye health professionals. They are frequently misdiagnosed with eye or psychological conditions, repeatedly change glasses or undergo surgery before determining their visual loss arises from cortical, rather than ocular deficits. Tests of cortical visual function are used rarely except by highly specialised neurology/neuro-ophthalmology diagnostic services. These diagnostic scenarios often delay diagnosis and treatment for years.

This project is supervised by Dr Keir Yong and Dr Andre Altmann

Project aims and objectives

Aim 1: Improve detection of visual-led dementia
Objective: Develop a test to detect dementia-related visual impairment in eye and dementia clinics

Aim 2: Evaluate factors associated with cortical visual function in UK Biobank
Objective: Derive a latent factor of cortical visual functioning in UK Biobank and evaluate candidate associated risk factors

Aim 3: Evaluate factors associated with visual system vulnerability in dementia
Objective: Compare genetic variants associated with cortical visual functioning and visual-led dementia.

This studentship will incorporate neuropsychological, statistical and imaging genetics methodologies.

This studentship will belong to Cohort 2 of the Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Health Technologies and will benefit from:

• CDT annual doctoral conference, bringing together current students and expert digital health scientists.
• Partner ‘sandpits’, providing the opportunity to develop research ideas with real-world impact.
• Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) training and wellbeing sessions
• Patient, public involvement and engagement (PPIE) training.
• A 3-month industry/clinical secondment (Year 1) including placements at international centres of excellence within the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and Moorfields Eye Hospital and Industry secondments to develop digital visual assessment tools for national studies, diagnostic services and for clinical trials.
•   Patient/public involvement activities supported by the UCL Dementia Research Centre and Rare Dementia Support service.

Person specification

• Applicants are preferred to have first-class undergraduate and/or master’s degrees (or equivalent) in a numerate discipline, preferably in mathematical, computational, biological, engineering or physical sciences subjects or a related discipline, with an interest in using technology to solve health problems.
• Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills, along with an interest in interdisciplinary research, are essential.
• Experience in computer programming is essential.
• Fluency and clarity in spoken English as well as good written English in accordance with UCL English requirements (TOEFL>92 or IELTS>6.5).

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