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Insula activity, tic-like movements and other behaviours related to Tourette's - integrative neuroscience studies in rats
Vacancy Reference Number: MRC AIM DTP CASE
Closing Date: 10 Jan 2025
Salary: UKRI PhD stipend (£19,237 in 24/25)
Address: School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD, UK
Duration: 4 years
Project Overview: This project focuses on the contribution of insula activity to the control of tic-like movements and other behaviours relevant to Tourette's syndrome through integrative neuroscience studies in rats. Human brain imaging studies have linked activity of the insula brain region to action/movement control and motor tics. However, such studies cannot confirm if insula activity causes tics. In rats, the insula is similarly organised to humans, allowing for the study of tic-like movements and other Tourette's-related behaviours. This project will combine manipulations of insula activity in rats, using intracerebral drug microinfusions, with behavioural, electrophysiological, and translational neuroimaging measurements.
The project aims to reveal insula contributions to movement control and inform the development of new treatments, including non-invasive neuromodulation approaches. The student will spend 3 months with Neupulse, a neurotechnology start-up focusing on neuromodulation devices, to learn about translating and commercialising research findings. The translational neuroimaging studies will be conducted in collaboration with the Leibniz Institute of Neurobiology (Magdeburg, Germany).
Supervisors: Tobias Bast, Stephen Jackson, Mairi Houlgreave
Industry Partner: Neupulse - Barbara Morera Maiquez, Chief Research Officer, and Paul Cable, CEO
Further Information
For further information on how to apply, visit: Application Link
For informal inquiries about the project, please contact Tobias Bast at tobias.bast@nottingham.ac.uk.
Contact Details
Tobias Bast
Email: tobias.bast@nottingham.ac.uk
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