Optimising Creatine Dosing Strategies for Brain Health with a Focus on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Explore how creatine supplementation can be optimised to support brain health, especially after mild traumatic brain injury. Combine human trials and brain imaging to discover effective dosing strategies that improve brain energy and recovery outcomes.
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Project Description
Project Overview
This PhD project aims to optimise creatine monohydrate dosing strategies for brain health, focusing on mild traumatic brain injury. Creatine's role in brain energy metabolism alongside muscle performance is explored by systematically studying how dose, timing, and duration affect brain creatine levels and recovery indicators.
What You Will Do
You will conduct human trials incorporating advanced brain imaging and cognitive function assessments to evaluate creatine's effects. You will develop skills in experimental design, clinical research methods, data analysis, and science communication, collaborating across neuroscience, nutrition, and sports medicine.
Expected Outcomes
Expected results include evidence-based creatine supplementation guidelines tailored for sport and clinical contexts, enhancing support for brain energy metabolism after mTBI in both athletic and non-athletic populations.
Why This Matters
This research addresses a critical gap in understanding optimal creatine dosing for brain health, with potential to transform clinical practice and improve recovery after mild traumatic brain injury, impacting health outcomes globally.
Entry Requirements
How to Apply
Eligibility
Supervisor Profile
Prof Craig Sale is an experienced researcher specializing in muscle physiology, supplementation, and neuromuscular adaptations. He has conducted extensive work on amino acid supplementation, including creatine and β-alanine, with a focus on their effects on muscle function and brain health. He holds positions at Manchester Metropolitan University and other UK institutions and is well respected in the field.