The University of Sheffield
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health
Department of Neuroscience
Functional Neuroimaging of Affective Sensitivity to Music in Patients with Mood Disorders
and High Risk Individuals
Supervisors: Dr Hamid Alhaj and Prof Peter Woodruff
Project:
Depressive disorders are very common, disabling and potentially fatal illnesses.
Epidemiological studies in remitted depressed patients indicate a very high
recurrence rate. In addition, genetic factors appear to play an important role in the
vulnerability to depression, with up to 3-fold increased risk of MDD in first-degree
relatives of depressed patients. While heritability is estimated around 40%,
psychosocial stressors and other environmental factors have been shown to interact
with genetic factors in the development of depression. Studies have shown that
individuals with depression experience negative emotional bias in the perception of
music stimuli. This bias has been postulated to represent a fundamental cognitive
trait of vulnerability to depression.
This PhD project provides a unique opportunity to study the neural correlates of
emotional bias in depression utilising functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) and
event-related potential (ERP) techniques. The overall aim is to identify neuroimaging
endophenotypes of depression that will improve our understanding of the
pathophysiology of the depressive disorders and aid enhanced targeting of future
therapeutic interventions.
Entry Requirements:
Candidates must have a first or upper second class honors degree or significant
research experience.
Enquiries:
Interested candidates should in the first instance contact Dr Hamid Alhaj
(h.alhaj@sheffield.ac.uk).
How to apply:
Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form and attach at
least two references to your application. To complete the application form please
visit: www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply.
Please clearly state the prospective main supervisor in the respective box and select
‘Neuroscience’ as the department.
Website: http://www.shef.ac.uk/neuroscience
Closing date: 3rd February 2014