2023 RTP - Predicting Outcome after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury using Diffusion MRI and Blood Biomarkers

Curtin University, Australia

Updated: almost 2 years ago
Location: Perth, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Status: Open

Applications open: 8/07/2022
Applications close: 18/08/2022

View printable version [.pdf]
About this scholarship

Concussion (also called mild traumatic brain injury, mTBI) is a common injury resulting from sports collisions, falls and car accidents, among others. While many people recover from their injury over time, new evidence suggests that more than 20% of people experience prolonged problems in emotional, physical, cognitive or sleep domains. This ongoing dysfunction is termed ‘persistent post-concussive syndrome’ or PPCS. There is currently no way to predict who will recover naturally from mTBI and who will experience PPCS. 
Key difficulties of mTBI are the subtle and heterogeneous nature of affected brain areas, with current clinical neuroimaging lacking sensitivity to detect pathology. Advances in research neuroimaging techniques now allow examination of white matter injury through diffusion MRI, which may be complementary to emerging blood biomarkers of brain pathology. 
The Concussion REcovery Study (CREST) is a longitudinal observational study examining the trajectory of recovery or PPCS development in the 12 months following mTBI. The aim of CREST is to identify factors that can predict development of PPCS that can be used in clinical assessments so that people at risk of PPCS can get earlier and more specific treatment. CREST involves a number of assessment methods including MRI, fluid biomarkers and questionnaires for demographics, mental health and quality of life.
This PhD project will examine novel diffusion MRI and blood biomarker analysis as potential predictors of PPCS, with focus on the psychological domain. Using diffusion MRI and blood markers of axonal injury, this project will explore whether early white matter microstructural changes and/or blood markers can be used to accurately predict poor outcome at 3, 6 or 12 months post-mTBI. 


  • Future Students

  • Faculty of Health Sciences

  • Higher Degree by Research

  • Australian Citizen
  • Australian Permanent Resident
  • New Zealand Citizen
  • Permanent Humanitarian Visa

  • Merit Based

The annual scholarship package (stipend and tuition fees) is approx. $60,000 - $70,000 p.a.

 

Successful HDR applicants for admission will receive a 100% fee offset for up to 4 years, stipend scholarships, valued at $28,854 p.a. for up to a maximum of 3.5 years, are determined via a competitive selection process. Applicants will be notified of the scholarship outcome in November 2022. 

 

For detailed information, visit: Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships | Curtin University, Perth, Australia.


Scholarship Details

1


All applicable HDR courses


The applicant will ideally have experience in blood biomarker analysis using ELISA assays for neurotrauma research, and be familiar with acute pathological mechanisms of TBI. 


Application process

If this project excites you, and your research skills and experience are a good fit for this specific project, you should contact the Project Lead (listed below in the enquires section) via the Expression of Interest (EOI) form. ahead of the closing date.


Enrolment Requirements

Eligible to enrol in a Higher Degree by Research Course at Curtin University by March 2023


Enquiries

To enquire about this project opportunity that includes a scholarship application, contact the Project lead, Dr Sarah Hellewell via the EOI form above.



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