Research Assistant: Analyzing Structural Brain Changes Associated with Cognitive Improvement

Introduction to the topic:

Cognitive impairment is a key feature of many psychiatric disorders, contributing to reduced daily functioning and prolonged recovery. This project focuses on analyzing structural brain changes associated with cognitive improvement following novel pro-cognitive treatments. Using FreeSurfer, you will examine structural MRI data from a large patient cohort to identify relevant neural patterns. Additionally, you will contribute to interpreting the findings and developing a manuscript, gaining hands-on experience in neuroimaging analysis and scientific writing.

Project details:

Cognitive impairment is prevalent across neuropsychiatric disorders but there is a lack of treatment strategies with robust, enduring effects. Emerging evidence indicates that altitude-like hypoxia cognition training may induce long-lasting neuroplasticity and improve cognition. We will investigate whether repeated cognition training under normobaric hypoxia can improve cognitive functions in healthy individuals and patients with affective disorders and the neurobiological underpinnings of such effects.

In sub-study 1, 120 healthy participants are randomized to one of four treatment arms in a double-blind manner, allowing for examination of separate and combined effects of three-week repeated moderate hypoxia and cognitive training, respectively. In sub-study 2, 60 remitted patients with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder are randomized to hypoxia with cognition training or treatment as usual. Assessments of cognition, psychosocial functioning, and quality of life are performed at baseline, end-of-treatment, and at 1-month follow-up. Functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are conducted at baseline and 1-month follow-up. The functional MRI data will be analyzed with the FMRIB Software Library, while structural MRI data using Freesurfer.

The results will provide novel insights into whether repeated hypoxia cognition training increases cognition and brain plasticity, which can aid future treatment development strategies.

This project provides an opportunity for RAs to learn how to asses the quality of structural MRI brain scans and analyze changes in cortical thickness and volume of subcortical regions that are associated with cognitive improvement following the pro-cognitive intervention. For this, the RAs will learn to use the Freesurfer software package. Additionally, the RA will contribute to interpreting the results and developing a manuscript based on the findings of the structural brain analysis.

The research project spans multiple semesters and the RAs will not be involved in all phases of the project

Selected relevant publications:

Macoveanu J, et al (2023). Early longitudinal changes in brain structure and cognitive functioning in remitted patients with recently diagnosed bipolar disorder. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.026. PMID: 37442440
Macoveanu J, et al (2023). Associations between aberrant working memory-related neural activity and cognitive impairments in somatically healthy, remitted patients with mood disorders. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291723000715 PMID: 37051904
Cramer, K., Schandorff, J. M., Bruun, C. F., Svarer, C., Macoveanu, J, & Miskowiak. (2024). Effects of cognitive training under hypoxia on cognitive proficiency and neuroplasticity in remitted patients with mood disorders and healthy individuals: ALTIBRAIN study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-024-08463-5

Prerequisites

One year of neuroscience or psychology courses at university level.

Additional research application required

You will need to submit an additional research application through Student Registration in order to enroll in this course.

To submit your research application, you must already be admitted to DIS.

All research application materials must be submitted on the following dates by 23:59 Central European Time:

November 1 for spring semester applicants
May 1 for fall semester applicants

Complete your additional research application through Student Registration.

If you are not already enrolled, use this link to apply to DIS before completing a research application.

Syllabus

The syllabus for this course is currently under development. A draft syllabus will be posted here as soon as it is available.

Faculty

Julian Macoveanu

Faculty

Ph.D. (Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), Karolinska Institute, Sweden, 2006). Ph.D. Licentiate of Engineering (Computational Biology), University of Linköping, Sweden, 2005) MSc. (Biochemistry, Stockholm University, 2002). Postdoctoral Research Associate, Danish Research Center for Magnetic Resonance (DRCMR) Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre. With DIS since 2014.

Research Assistantship FAQ

Learn more about research at DIS.

: Earning authorship within the course of a semester is challenging. Exceptional Research Assistants may be considered for co-authorship, subject to evaluation from the supervising Research Mentor.

Though you may not ultimately become an author on a published paper, you will gain many practical skills and insights into the publication process.

: Many research projects last across several semesters, so not all RAs on the same project will conduct the same research.

: On average, students in 3-credit Research Assistantships spend at least 10 hours a week on research tasks. These 10 hours per week consist of a variety of different research-related tasks, including conducting a literature review, data collection, analyses, coding, documentation, and meetings with your mentor. You may decide on a particular block of time (consistent each week) for you to carry out the work, or adjust it on a week-by-week basis.

Students in a 6-credit Research Assistantships spend an average of 20 hours per week with lab and clinically based research tasks. You decide the exact meeting and lab times with your supervisor, but your schedule consists of classes at DIS two days a week, with two days a week in the lab.

There may be peak times in the research process where all Research Assistant students are expected to spend a few more hours, and then possibly fewer hours another week – to reflect the individual research project and process.

: Work for the 3-credit Research Assistantships may take place outside DIS, on your own time at a location of your choosing, or at DIS – this varies from project to project. The 6-credit research assistantships generally take place at labs in Copenhagen or Stockholm outside DIS.

: Students with a variety of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the 3-credit Research Assistant course. While some courses do have prerequisites, many opportunities do not require prior research experience.

The 6-credit Research Assistant opportunity is designed for highly motivated students who have a strong science background within the field of interest and some basic research experience. The student must be willing to commit a large portion of their semester to an engaging opportunity involving hands-on research in universities and medical institutes in Copenhagen or Stockholm.

Introduction to the topic:

Project details:

Prerequisites

Additional research application required

Syllabus

The syllabus for this course is currently under development. A draft syllabus will be posted here as soon as it is available.

Faculty

Julian Macoveanu

Research Assistantship FAQ

Will I publish a research paper?

What exactly will I do?

What is the time commitment for a 3-credit or 6-credit Research Assistantship?

Where is the research work carried out?

What type of student applies for the 3- and 6-credit Research Assistant course?