Pharmacological Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy – functional measures of neurochemical changes after ketamine

The project:

Pharmacological Magnetic Resonance Imaginfg (phMRI) is a promising technique to non-invasively measure the effect of psychotropic medication on the brain. However, phMRI-measures are blood-flow-based and therefore contaminated by systemic cardiovascular effects induced by this medication. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a powerful alternative to measure  alterations in neurochemistry, allowing us to more directly assess drug-induced changes in brain function. In our project pharmacological phMRS (phMRS), we have collected data using an interleaved MRI sequence, capturing phMRI and phMRS simultaneously to measure the brain’s dynamic response to ketamine. This way, we hope to provide the necessary information with phMRS to fully  interpret the phMRI signal.

The internship position

The internship position will focus mostly on the analysis of functional MRS data (data has already been acquired). Practical work (i.e. inclusion and help with data collection) can be done on other projects – options can be discussed during an interview. Functional MRS and pharmacological MRS are fields that are currentlly gaining a low of interest. This means that many analysis tools and options are developed as we speak – this internship provides the opportunity to gain experience in data-analysis and interpretation of a state-of-the-art method.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for a pro-active, social, inquisitive Master’s student who has affinity with and an interest in programming. Speaking Dutch is not a requirement, but depending on language skills we will discuss options for practical work accordingly.

Interested?

Send your CV and motivation to Daphne Boucherie, researcher on phMRS, via [staat bij de werkgever]