Inflammageing, Cognitive Function, and Brain Health: Assessing the Effects of a Dietary Intervention

Research project description

PhD will investigate potential role of neuroinflammation in cognitive decline observed in both natural and pathological aging. 

The aging process, influenced by both genetic factors and environmental aspects, leads to a gradual decline in physiological functions and increases susceptibility to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. This decline in cognitive abilities is closely linked to changes in specific brain regions responsible for cognition, notably the frontal lobe and hippocampus. Chronic neuroinflammation emerges as a significant contributor to both neurodegenerative diseases and the aging process itself.  

Diverse factors, encompassing genetic predisposition, life experiences, habits, and environmental influences, collectively shape an individual’s vulnerability to aging-related neuropathological processes and neurodegenerative diseases. Within this context, dietary interventions, particularly caloric restriction (CR), are proposed as strategies to alleviate age-related health decline, extend lifespan across different organisms, and counteract age-induced alterations in hippocampal structure and function. 

Our investigation aims to delve into the potential role of neuroinflammation in cognitive decline observed in both natural and pathological aging. Furthermore, we seek to evaluate whether a CR diet can attenuate age-associated cognitive decline by reducing neuroinflammation in the brain. It is anticipated that CR could directly alleviate glial cell reactivity and senescence-related alterations, regulate inflammatory cytokine expression, and indirectly modulate neuroinflammation by mitigating stressors like the accumulation of toxic misfolded proteins and oxidative stress. These effects, consequently, might lead to a delay or reduction in both hippocampal dysfunction and associated cognitive processes.  

To conduct this research, we plan to use both female and male Wistar rats, implementing the dietary intervention at different ages to assess its impact. Additionally, we aim to examine the effects of CR on cognitive processes and neuroinflammation in a rat model of Alzheimer’s Disease (TgF344-Tg AD) across the asymptomatic, prodromal, and symptomatic phases. In summary, this comprehensive approach will enable a thorough understanding of how CR affects neuroinflammation and cognitive decline at various stages of aging and disease progression. 

Academic background / Skills

Candidates must hold a degree that allows admission to the official doctoral programme at UAB.  

Additional requirements for a stronger application are: 

Candidates should showcase a vocation for research and a keen interest in addressing mental health challenges. Eligibility for the PhD in Neuroscience program at UAB requires meeting academic prerequisites, including accreditation of 300 ECTS credits and proficient English speaking and writing skills.  

Highly regarded qualifications include: 

• Previous studies in Psychology, Neuroscience, Medicine, or related fields such as Biomedicine, Statistics or Biology. 
• A strong academic track record. 
• Experience in handling and analyzing quantitative data. 
• Experience or prior work on the proposed research area. 
• Experience in handling research animals, although not mandatory, it will be highly valuable. 

Research group/s description

Cognition, Aging and Diet research group endeavors to comprehensively explore the brain mechanisms driving the aging process and assess the influence of specific environmental factors on these mechanisms. We aim to investigate the impact of diets, such as caloric restriction (CR), and the use of compounds that modulate epigenetic mechanisms (like substances regulating histone acetylation activity) on cognitive processes in aged rats. This research encompasses male and female rats spanning different age groups, evaluating cognitive function across asymptomatic, prodromal, and symptomatic stages of impairment. Our experimental approach involves a combination of behavioral, histological, biochemical, and proteomic analyses. Additionally, we are initiating research to explore the effects of diverse lifestyle factors and biomarkers on cognitive decline among middle-aged patients. The results from our investigations hold potential significance in developing behavioral strategies that foster healthier aging.  

Neuroimmunity Lab investigation is focused on the immune responses in the brain. Non-neuronal cells, such as glial cells and brain-infiltrated blood cells are critically involved in the local resolution of brain injuries, covering neurodegenerative diseases and other insults. Our research interest is to unravel, at the cellular level, the function of glia and lymphocytes within the inflamed brain, and, particularly, the communication and interactions between immune cells and other target cells. We aim to understand the interactions between microglial cells and dopaminergic neurons in experimental models of Parkinson’s disease. The knowledge of these complex interfaces in vivo and in vitro will help to propose therapeutic anti-inflammatory strategies to avert or decelerate Parkinsonian degeneration.