1 PhD Studentship in Mild Cognitive Impairment in Ireland | Trinity College Dublin

Full-time Studentship; 3 years

Research Group/School: Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine

Location: Mercer’s Institute for Successful Aging and the Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James’s Hospital

Reports to: Principal Investigators, Professor Brian Lawlor and Dr. Emer Guinan

Salary: €16,000 stipend p.a. plus academic fees (EU level)

This position is under the supervision of Medical Gerontology and Discipline of Physiotherapy and will support the joint research group examining the effect of an extensive exercise program on the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Structural changes in the brain that occur with regular physical activity and exercise training may act to prevent or delay the genesis of neurodegeneration. Epidemiological data shows an association between leisure-time physical activity in midlife and decreased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in later life. This programme will investigate if a structured, yearlong intensive aerobic exercise programme can delay disease progression of MCI, the prodromal phase of Alzheimer’s disease.

The programme is part of a European consortium involving Germany, Ireland and The Netherlands and will involve a wide multi-disciplinary team including neuroradiology, exercise and genetics.

Standard duties and Responsibilities of the Post

• The successful candidate will implement the supervised exercise intervention (aerobic training vs. stretching) in Ireland and will collaborate with European colleagues on the larger trial.

Qualifications:

• Upper Second Class Honours Degree in Health Sciences or Exercise Physiology (Essential).