Genes, Environment and Brain Function in Well-Being
Summary
The key goal of this project is to identify genetic, environmental and brain markers of well-being in healthy individuals and twins. In this research area, we integrate information which is normally studied in isolation - for instance, genetics with tests of emotion and cognition, and with EEG and MRI measures of brain function. We will also focus on the heritability of the various brain and behaviour measures of well-being by comparing identical to non-identical twins.
Supervisor(s)
Professor Lea Williams, Dr Justine Gatt
Research Location
The Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Millennium Institute
Program Type
N/A
Synopsis
Emotional instability or reduced well-being is a hallmark of risk for mental disorders. This project will identify objective markers of well-being, defined by measures of brain function and structure. These measures will in turn provide ‘intermediate phenotypes’ in the pathways from genes to the behavioural expression of emotional stability-instability. Candidate markers will be identified from a large, cohort of individuals assessed for emotional instability. A large twin sample will be used to establish the heritability of the objective measures, relative to the contribution of environmental factors such as stress. This study will draw upon multidisciplinary resources from neuropsychology, neuroimaging and neurogenetics.
Additional Information
PhD students will be actively involved in assessment of human participants. They will be trained in acquisition of behavioural and brain imaging data, and the use of sophisticated statistical procedures. When based at the Brain Dynamics Centre, PhD students have a strong team-based support network. The BDC comprises a team of 60 members, including approx. 20 PhD students and 10 post-doctoral researchers.
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Keywords
Well-being, emotional stability, mental disorders, depression, anxiety, stress, Neuroscience, Cognitive neuroscience, Brain imaging, MRI, Electrophysiology, EEG, cognition, Emotion, Genetics, behaviour, psychiatric disorders, Neuroscience & psychology, gene-environment, twins, health, health psychology, heritability
Opportunity ID
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 796
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