Assessing the physical impact of a six-week yoga intervention on brain structure, function, cognition and inflammatory profile in healthy volunteers.
- Funding
- Self-funded
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Apply by
- Year round
- Start date
- Year round
The use of yoga and meditation has increased in popularity as a positive health regulator in recent years and has been associated with several beneficial health outcomes in a variety of populations (1), including: upregulation of brain derived neurotrophic factor (2, 3); increased serotonin and decreased cortisol (3); increased grey matter volume (4, 5); regulation of the inflammatory cytokine profile (2); increased working memory and mindfulness (6) and decreased anxiety and depression (7).
However, many of these studies are limited due to factors such as limited sample size, confounding variables and heterogeneity in yoga practices and outcome measures (1). Current neuroimaging data is limited and further information regarding structural connectivity and function using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is needed. More detailed and regulated studies are required to assess the physical impact of a yoga intervention on brain architecture and connectivity and how this relates to cognitive well-being and inflammatory biomarkers. Investigation of this in a healthy population may reveal insights into the potential clinical relevance of yoga as a preventative or therapeutic regulatory mechanism in pathological processes.
The aim of the PhD: The aim of the PhD is to use a variety of outcome measures to assess physiological changes following a 6-week yoga intervention in a healthy population. These measures will include both structural and functional MRI including DTI to investigate neural changes, measures of working memory and blood profile. From this, we hope to ascertain if a yoga is associated with positive physiological and cognitive outcomes; in the future, this yoga intervention could be applied to a patient population to potentially reduce susceptibility to or reduce progression of pathological processes
Initial PhD research plan:
Essential qualities: Good first/upper second class degree in a relevant subject area, motivated, organised with an interest in neuroscience and medical imaging.
Desirable qualities: Masters degree in a relevant discipline. Prior research experience.
For informal enquiries please contact Dr. Kinsley: VKinsley@liverpool.ac.uk
Supervisors:
| Dr Victoria Kinsley | VKinsley@liverpool.ac.uk |
| Professor Simon Keller | Simon.Keller@liverpool.ac.uk |
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Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £5,006
Full-time place, per year - £31,250
Fees stated are for 2025/26 academic year
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