The primary objective of the present project is to evaluate the role of LITT in the surgical treatment of deep-seated lesions in adults with refractory epilepsy, both in terms of seizure control (primary outcome) and quality of life and surgical co-morbidities (secondary outcomes). There are a series of secondary objectives that include:
- Investigation of the relationship between abnormal brain physiology (from electroencephalography recordings) and brain connectivity (using diffusion MRI tractography)
- Role of advanced brain MRI methods in LITT planning (anatomical brain reconstruction, diffusion MRI tractography and functional MRI)
- Exploration of the relationships between neuropsychological impairment and MRI data
- Exploration of adaptive deep brain stimulation as an alternative treatment technique in patients unsuitable for surgical resection
Environment and training
This clinically orientated programme of research offers a unique opportunity for a PhD student to perform exciting research under the guidance of leading University, hospital, and industrial partners.
You will be primarily based in the BRAIN lab at the University of Liverpool under the supervision of Professor Simon Keller. Here you will join other PhD students working on a range of neuroimaging projects. All PhD students working in the lab work with neuroimaging and patient data and as a lab we host lab meetings, journal clubs, presentations, discuss case studies, and share computer code in a stimulating, nurturing, and fun environment. It is not expected that you will have brain imaging experience as training will be provided. However, some experience may be beneficial.
This exciting opportunity also offers exposure to patient care, treatment, and research at the Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, the only NHS Trust specialising in neuroscience, under the co-supervision of Mr Jibril Osman Farah (consultant neurosurgeon) and Dr Antonella Macerollo (consultant neurologist). Mr Farah, Dr Macerollo, and Professor Keller work closely to deliver leading research programmes in brain surgery and stimulation for epilepsy and movement disorders.
Finally, this is an iCASE studentship that has industrial support from Medtronic, a company that develops and manufactures medical devices and therapies. Medtronic ranks top of all medical device companies according to annual revenues, R&D spending, and number of employees. You will have the opportunity to spend a dedicated period of time working at Medtronic.
Benefits of being in the DiMeN DTP:
This project is part of the Discovery Medicine North Doctoral Training Partnership (DiMeN DTP), a diverse community of PhD students across the North of England researching the major health problems facing the world today. Our partner institutions (Universities of Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, York and Sheffield) are internationally recognised as centres of research excellence and can offer you access to state-of-the-art facilities to deliver high impact research.
We are very proud of our student-centred ethos and committed to supporting you throughout your PhD. As part of the DTP, we offer bespoke training in key skills sought after in early career researchers, as well as opportunities to broaden your career horizons in a range of non-academic sectors.
Being funded by the MRC means you can access additional funding for research placements, training opportunities or internships in science policy, science communication and beyond.
iCASE industrial partner web link: https://www.medtronic.com/uk-en/index.html
Further information on the programme and instructions on how to apply, including a link to the application portal, can be found on our website https://www.dimen.org.uk/