Why do we sleep?
The fluid dynamics processes of sleep are complex. Recent research suggest that they are involved in the deep clearance of brain waste. Insufficient clearance is implied in neurodegeneration such as for example Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
The discovery of the glymphatic system in 2012 is a paradigme shift in neuroscience implying that the need for sleep is deeply rooted in the fluid dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid and its interaction with the extra-cellular fluid. Further, a number of fluid dynamics processes occur in sleep, such as a 50% change in the extracellular volume fraction. All in all, the glymphatic system describes a system for clearance, where the metabolic waste of from a hectic day is elimiated during sleep. The process is a multi-physics process involving viscous flow outside the brain coupled with porous media flow within the brain. This project will focus on the purpose of extra-cellular volume fraction variations and its interplay with membrane permeability.
Goal
Simulate the multi-physics process of sleep in the context of physiological volume changes.
Learning outcome
- Deep knowledge of modern numerical methods and simulation tools
- Experience with contemporary neuroscience challenges and models
- Team work in an active research group
Qualifications
- A background in applied mathematics and/or computer science
- Knowledge of partial differential equations and numerical methods
- Experience with Python programming
Supervisors
- Kent-Andre Mardal
Collaboration partners
- The master thesis is associated with the K. G. Jebsen Centre for Brain Fluids, the ERC project aCleanBrain, GRIP (glymphatics in Parkinson's disease at Rikshospitalet), and the Mechanics at Department of Mathematics
