Masterarbeit / Doktorarbeit: A Retrospective Assessment of the Clearance Function of the Brain in Healthy Adults During Sedation with Ketamine and Dexmedetomidine Using EEG and fMRI

03.02.2025, Abschlussarbeiten, Bachelor- und Masterarbeiten

We seek a motivated and enthusiastic candidate for a Master’s thesis or medical doctoral thesis in the Department of Anesthesiology. This project investigates how anesthesia impacts the brain's clearance mechanisms, based on the glymphatic hypothesis, and is conducted in collaboration with the University of Liège, Belgium. Using advanced neuroimaging techniques, such as EEG and fMRI, the study explores sedation-induced changes in global brain activity and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow.

The glymphatic hypothesis proposes a waste-clearing mechanism of the brain, with disruptions potentially contributing to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia. While rodent studies suggest anesthetics might influence this process, its effects on humans remain underexplored. This project utilizes retrospectively collected datasets to address this gap through innovative, non-invasive imaging and computational techniques.

Project Objectives
To analyze EEG and fMRI data under wakeful and sedated conditions using Ketamine and Dexmedetomidine.
To investigate the coupling between global slow oscillatory brain activity and CSF flow during anesthesia.
To integrate multimodal data for a comprehensive understanding of brain clearance dynamics.

The project is divided into five work packages:

Data Organization and Quality Control: Preparing EEG and fMRI datasets for analysis.
fMRI Data Analysis: Preprocessing, signal extraction, and statistical analysis of imaging data.
EEG Data Analysis: Delta-band power analysis and time-frequency analysis of brain activity.
Multimodal Integration: Synchronizing EEG and fMRI signals to understand their interplay.
Reporting and Publication: Documenting findings for peer-reviewed journal submissions.

Requirements
Background in medicine, biology, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, or a related field.
Strong interest in physiology, anesthesia, or neuroimaging research.
Programming experience is essential (preferably in MATLAB or Python).
Previous experience in data analysis or neuroimaging techniques is a plus.

Benefits
Work on a high-impact project led by the Department of Anesthesiology in collaboration with the University of Liège, Belgium.
Gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge EEG and fMRI analysis methods.
Contribute to research in neuroanesthesia and brain physiology.
Work in a multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment.

Application Details
Interested candidates should submit a CV, a brief motivation letter (if desired), and relevant academic transcripts by 10.02.2025.

Kontakt: juliana.zimmermann@tum.de