Research Assistant: Brain Structure and Aging Across the Adult Lifespan

Introduction to the topic:

How does the human brain change as we age? While aging is a natural process, structural brain changes vary widely between individuals and between men and women. Using modern magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), researchers can quantify age-related changes in brain morphology such as cortical thickness and folding and white matter structure across the lifespan in living humans. Characterizing typical patterns of brain aging is essential for distinguishing healthy aging from early markers of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease, and for understanding individual vulnerability and resilience to age-related brain disorders.

Project details:

In this research project, students will investigate how brain structure changes from early adulthood to old age using MRI data from a large cohort of healthy adults aged 20 to 86 years. The project focuses on key markers of brain morphology, including cortical thickness (how the brain’s gray matter thins with age) and cortical folding (gyrification), as well as potential sex differences in aging trajectories. These measures provide important insight into typical brain development and decline and are highly relevant for research on cognitive aging and dementia.

Students will work with an existing MRI dataset and learn to process and analyze structural brain images using FreeSurfer, a widely used neuroimaging software package. Their work will include running automated analysis pipelines, conducting data quality control, extracting cortical measures, and preparing datasets for statistical analysis. Students will model age-related effects (including linear and non-linear patterns) and examine whether structural brain changes differ between men and women.

Throughout the project, students will gain hands-on experience with neuroimaging data analysis, reproducible research practices, and scientific interpretation of brain maps. They will learn how to relate structural brain changes to theories of brain aging and communicate their findings through a written research report and a poster-style presentation. Depending on project progress and mentor guidance, there may be opportunities to contribute to a manuscript for publication.

This project is well suited for students in neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science, medicine, biomedical engineering, or related fields who are interested in the aging brain and comfortable working with computers. Prior experience with MRI or statistics is helpful but not required; training will be provided. Motivation and curiosity are key.

Selected relevant publications:

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
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
Macoveanu J, et al (2023). Early longitudinal changes in brain structure and cognitive functioning in remitted patients with recently diagnosed bipolar disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.026

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 courses?