Novel approaches to imaging the developing brain in children

Title: 
Novel approaches to imaging the developing brain in children with intellectual disabilities of genetic origin

Supervisors:
Prof David Skuse and Prof Chris Clark

Project Description:

Background
Using a new generation of quantitative MRI parameters, the aim of this project is to fully describe microstructural and functional brain connectomes in children with Intellectual Disability (ID) from the IMAGINE cohort (assembled by Prof Skuse funded by the MRC) (1) using a state of the art Siemens 3T MRI system. Imaging will add an important dimension to the deep phenotyping of these children, complementing existing genetic and behavioural data and allowing a number of key hypotheses regarding the inter-relation between genetics, brain structure and behaviour to be addressed. Alongside the collection of imaging data in ID the project will also collect imaging data in healthy children to expand our existing healthy control dataset. By calculating parameter reference ranges from normative data it will be possible to make inferences in the individual patient. Importantly this will allow us to determine common features as well as explore the degree of heterogeneity within specific copy number variants (CNV). The single case approach will facilitate the identification of individualised therapy most appropriate to that patient, forming a baseline biomarker for subsequent monitoring through a therapeutic process.    
    
Aims/Objectives and Methods
Within each CNV group the student will examine relationships between cognitive and connectomic (microstructural imaging) data (2). The student will examine if connectomes map the neuroanatomical correlates of specific cognitive deficits within specific CNVs. The student 
will determine how well connectomic data can stratify or cluster patients in terms of their cognitive characteristics.  In appropriate groups the student will attempt to identify the connectomic features of social communication deficits and ADHD both within and across CNVs. The student will therefore be able to harness the considerable value of the IMAGINE cohort assembled by Prof Skuse, Dr Wolstencroft and the wider IMAGINE team. They will be trained in advanced neuroimaging techniques by Prof Chris Clark and Dr Jon Clayden that are currently being used across a wide range of applications in Prof Clark’s team at the GOS ICH.

Contact Information:
David Skuse