Dr Richard Elsworthy

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

Dr Richard ElsworthyLink opens in a new window

School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of BirminghamLink opens in a new window

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Dr Richard Elsworthy is an exercise physiologist with a focus on neurobiology and brain health. His research combines human exercise studies and blood-based biomarkers with stem-cell models of the brain to investigate mechanisms linking exercise, metabolism, ageing and dementia.

Research Groups

Centre for Movement and Wellbeing (MoveWell)Link opens in a new window

Alzheimer's Research UK Midlands Network CentreLink opens in a new window

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Supportive, Collaborative, Reflective.

Provision of Training

I take responsibility for technical training early in the project, while giving students space to problem-solve and develop confidence independently. As their skills and experience grow, I progressively step back to support increasing independence and ownership of the research.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I will work with the student to agree clear short- and medium-term goals and review progress regularly through weekly and monthly discussions. Where progress is slower than expected, we will identify any barriers together and agree a supportive plan to help the student move forward.

Communication

I encourage open and honest communication, with students actively engaging in discussions, sharing ideas and raising challenges as they arise. My aim is to work collaboratively towards the shared goal of helping each student reach their potential and gain as much as possible from their research experience.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per fortnight. These meetings will be a mixture of face-to-face and via video chat or telephone. I am usually contactable for an instant response 3 or 4 days per week.

Work Patterns

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings) I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 2 weeks' notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Brain lactate as a mechanism linking exercise to brain health across the lifespan

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Brain lactate as a mechanism linking exercise to brain health across the lifespan

Secondary Supervisor(s): Prof Sam Lucas

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes:

Understanding the Rules of Life (Neuroscience and Behaviour)

Project Outline

Physical exercise supports brain health across the lifespan, but the biological signals linking working muscles to changes in the brain are not fully understood. Lactate was once viewed mainly as a by-product of exercise, but it is now recognised as both an energy source and a signalling molecule. During exercise, lactate in the blood can cross into the brain and contribute to brain metabolism. However, we do not know how much exercise is needed to increase brain lactate, whether this response changes with ageing, or whether it is linked to other markers of brain health.

This PhD will investigate how exercise dose and ageing influence brain lactate and whether lactate may help explain how exercise supports brain health.

Objective 1 will identify the minimum exercise dose needed to increase brain lactate in younger adults. Participants will complete three high intensity exercise conditions made up of 1, 5 or 10 bouts of 30 seconds. Brain lactate will be measured before and after exercise using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, a non-invasive brain imaging method. Blood lactate will also be measured.

Objective 2 will test whether the same brain lactate response differs in older adults. The same exercise conditions will be used, allowing comparison of brain and blood lactate responses between younger and older groups. Blood markers linked to brain protection, nerve cell health and support cells in the brain will also be measured.

Objective 3 will test whether consuming lactate can alter brain lactate at rest and during exercise. Participants will consume a lactate-containing gel or placebo, and brain and blood lactate will be measured before and after rest or exercise.

The project combines exercise physiology, brain imaging and blood analysis to improve understanding of how lactate may link exercise with brain health across the lifespan.

Defining the physiological role of amyloid-β in brain energy metabolism

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Defining the physiological role of amyloid-β in brain energy metabolism

Secondary Supervisor(s): Prof Sarah Aldred

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes:

Understanding the Rules of Life (Neuroscience and Behaviour)

Project Outline

Amyloid beta is best known as a peptide that can accumulate in the brain in Alzheimer's disease. However, amyloid beta is also naturally produced throughout life and may have important functions in healthy cells. Low concentrations of amyloid beta are released in response to neuronal activity and have been linked to glucose uptake and cellular metabolism. This raises an important question: could amyloid beta normally act as a signal that helps match brain activity with the energy required to support it?

This project will investigate the physiological role of amyloid beta in brain energy metabolism, focusing on communication between neurons and astrocytes. Astrocytes are brain cells that provide essential metabolic support to neurons, including processing glucose and supplying energy-rich metabolites when neuronal activity increases.

The project has three main objectives: to determine how neuronal activity and glucose availability influence amyloid beta production; to establish whether physiological concentrations of amyloid beta alter astrocyte metabolism and support neuronal function; and to identify the cellular signalling mechanisms responsible for these effects.

The student will use human stem-cell-derived neurons and astrocytes to model communication between these cell types. Electrical activity will be measured and manipulated using microelectrode arrays, while highly sensitive protein assays will measure small changes in amyloid beta release. Cellular metabolism will be investigated using Seahorse metabolic analysis, measurements of glucose and lactate, and carbon-13 labelled glucose to track how glucose is used by cells. Experiments will also examine insulin-related signalling pathways as a potential mechanism linking amyloid beta to metabolic regulation.

By establishing what amyloid beta does during normal physiology, this project could reveal a previously unrecognised mechanism linking brain activity, cell signalling and energy metabolism.

Co-supervisor on a project / projects with supervisor name + link.