Claire Lancaster, PhD student - Project: The effects of Apolipoprotein E status on cognition across the lifespan
This research is an exploration into the effects of the Apolipoprotein gene (APOE), the most well-established genetic risk of dementia, on cognition. The e4 variant of this gene has consistently been associated with both pathological and healthy cognitive decline in later life. However, the effects of APOE are not clear cut as this gene has also been linked to cognitive advantages in early life. This research aims to establish the effects of APOE on cognition in mid-age, using a battery of behavioural tasks, specifically in the domain of attention. By examining the transition period in the gene’s effect from advantageous to disadvantageous we aim to further establish how APOE relates to healthy and pathological ageing.
Supervisors- Professor Jenny Rusted and Dr Naji Tabet
Funder- ESRC (Case award, with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust)
Email- cl445@sussex.ac.uk
Molly Berenhaus: PhD Student Project: Exploring the usefulness of creative strategies on children’s reading comprehension
Molly Berenhaus is a second year PhD student investigating the benefits of creative, play-oriented strategies on children’s reading comprehension. The strategies are rooted in embodied cognition theory: the idea that sensorimotor processes facilitate higher cognitive processes. Her first PhD study looked at the benefits of “storyboard construction,” creating a visual representation of a text using plastic-cutouts, and imagery on children in year 5’s comprehension monitoring ability and coherence of recall. She also conducted interviews with a group of children from the study to explore their reading experience and other strategies they already use to understand a text.
Supervised by Professors Jennifer Rusted and Jane Oakhill
Funder – Chancellor’s International Research Scholarship
Email: m.berenhaus@sussex.ac.uk
Renata Fialho PhD Student Project: Neuropsychiatric manifestations in HIV HCV co infection under hepatitis C treatment
This research aims to explore the role of inflammation in neuropsychiatric processes, in particular major depressive disorders (MDD) and executive functions (EF). It has been suggested that cytokines have an effect on MDD and EF through Central Nervous System (CNS) insults. The HIV/HCV co-infected population is less likely to have positive hepatitis C treatment outcomes and to experience faster progression of liver disease. In addition, recent data shows a high risk of reinfection in co-infected population who were either treated for or who spontaneously cleared HCV virus. The aims of our research are a) to explore the EF status based on a pure EF cognitive assessment and b) to explore interferon-induced depression symptoms using structured clinical assessment instruments in association with clinical and behavioural covariants. The outcomes of this research will drive us to a better understanding on how neuropsychiatric side effects affect treatment outcomes and reinfection behaviour in order to prevent further infections.
Supervisors- Professor Jenny Rusted, Dr Richard Whale, Professor Martin Fisher, Dr Neil Harrison
Funder - University of Sussex and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Email- r.fialho@sussex.ac.uk
Additional projects:
See also: APOE, Nicotine and Alzheimer's Disease
See also: Dementia Research Group
See also: www. idealproject.org.uk