Brain Research & Imaging Centre (BRIC)

A state-of-the-art human neuroimaging facility
BRIC building exterior
The Brain Research & Imaging Centre (BRIC) is the most advanced multi-modal brain research facility in the South West and represents a sea-change in research capability in the field of human neuroscience.
The integration of world-leading expertise and technology in our cutting-edge brain research laboratories places the University of Plymouth at the forefront of the exploration of human brain structure and function in health and disease.
The partnership between the University of Plymouth, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and DDRC Healthcare is central to our wider aim of delivering rapid improvements to health and wellbeing from the regional to the global scale.
A postgraduate programme in brain research is now available: MSc Human Neuroscience
 

Laboratories

BRIC has eight cutting-edge brain research laboratories, including the most advanced 3-Tesla MRI facility in the region. The facilities are co-located with a new DDRC Healthcare development, which includes lecture theatres to align research and teaching and the most advanced hyperbaric chamber technology in the UK.
Computational Modelling Lab
Computational modelling
EEG Lab
Electroencephalography (EEG)
BRIC MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Researchers in the The Cognition and Behaviour Laboratory
Neuropsychology
Brain Stimulation Lab
Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation (NIBS)
Motor Control Lab
Neural Organisation of Movement, Action & Dynamics (NOMAD)
Researchers in the psychopharmacology lab, BRIC
Psychopharmacology Lab
Vestibular Lab
Vestibular Laboratory

A diverse range of internationally excellent researchers in the field of neuroscience underpins the University's strong track record in brain research. We ask important questions that draw upon expertise from the single molecule to the whole human, explore the basic mechanisms of cognition and behaviour and apply advanced computational methods to improve our understanding of the brain in health and disease. I am confident that BRIC will enable us to realise our aim of translating our world-leading research into outcomes that improve the lives of everyone, locally, nationally and internationally.

Stephen HallProfessor Stephen Hall
Strategic Director of the Brain Research & Imaging Centre, Professor of Human Neuroimaging, University of Plymouth

Dr Nadege Bault, Head of BRIC Operations; Professor Stephen Hall, Strategic Director of BRIC BRIC
Dr Nadege Bault, Head of BRIC Operations; Professor Stephen Hall, Strategic Director of BRIC
 

Research at BRIC

Explore our Research Themes to discover some of the exciting research taking place in our cutting-edge laboratories. You can also view our research in action on our YouTube channel or sign up to participate in a study by completing the form in the participation section below.
Image of a brain surrounded by lights
Theme 1: Neurotechnology and artificial intelligence
World map textured brain with overlay of abstract connections
Theme 2: Environment and lifestyle neuroscience
Brain connections in colourful illustration
Theme 3: Brain and cognition across the lifespan
Brain connections in colourful illustration
Theme 4: Brain mechanisms in health and disease

What's new at BRIC?

Professor Elsa Fouragnan has been awarded a BBSRC grant for her work in Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation (TUS)

In this novel project, we will investigate for the first time the relationships between brain states and TUS and whether recruitment of targeted brain regions improves TUS-induced plasticity. This is crucial for optimising future treatment designs, particularly those leveraging cognitive-behavioural tasks during TUS therapies. Refining the relationship between TUS and states will be vital to pave the way for effective clinical interventions, particularly those combining cognitive-behavioural therapy and brain stimulation.
Another important aspect of TUS is that it can reach any region in the brain. In this new line of research, we will also pursue the idea that TUS can be used at different locations of the brain at the same time, in order to change communication between brain regions. We want to show that concurrent multisite TUS is safe and can increase outcome measures by providing additional ways of intervening in the brain. This will increase the potential of TUS applications and open a new avenue for thinking about non-invasive brain stimulation which considers the dynamism of brain networks.

Fundamentals and applications of TUS Workshop

In collaboration with Brainbox Initiative, Professor Elsa Fouragnan hosted the inaugural Fundamentals and Applications of TUS workshop at BRIC in May 2023. The multi-day course was oversubscribed and an international success.

Discover surprising facts and myths about the brain

The human brain is a remarkable organ which allows us to perceive and interact with the world, remember, think, communicate and plan. Ultimately, all human consciousness, action, and culture is a product of our brain.
At the Brain Research & Imaging Centre (BRIC) , based on the Plymouth Science Park, researchers from across the University are working with NHS staff to better understand how the brain works and how it is affected by disease and age.
Neurons concept image.
 

Participate in our research

Volunteering for a study at the Brain Research & Imaging Centre (BRIC) will put you at the forefront of brain research. You'll experience a scan using our cutting-edge neuroimaging equipment and contribute to the field of neuroscience by helping us to better understand the brain and underlying causes of neurological conditions.
Completing the form does not obligate you to take part and our researchers will contact you directly when relevant studies begin recruitment. Please note that BRIC researchers are not medically trained and cannot offer any medical advice, diagnosis or treatment following participation in a research study, nor will you be provided with a copy of the images. All images are anonymised and stored on a secure database, which is accessible by our researchers for scientific research only.

Older-adult volunteers wanted

We would like to hear from people aged over 65 years of age who are interested in being a member of our older-adult participant group.
Please visit our healthy ageing webpage for more information.
Healthy Ageing
Abstract image of alcohol and wine glasses

Public and patient engagement

BRIC and the Diving Diseases Research Centre (DDRC) actively engage with the public and with patient groups. This makes our research possible and breaks down barriers between research, innovation, and society.
U3A BRIC Tour

Data protection privacy notice

The University of Plymouth will process your personal data in accordance with data protection regulations. By submitting your details you consent to the University processing your personal data in order to send you information in accordance with the preferences you indicated on the sign-up form.
You may withdraw this consent at any time by contacting BRIC at bric@plymouth.ac.uk

Publications
Smith, A. D. (in press). Virtual reality and spatial cognition: Bridging the epistemic gap between laboratory and real-world insights. Science and Education.
Smith AD & Alastair D. (Associate Professor in Psychology Smith APIPUOP (2023)) Cognition in the Real World. Oxford University Press
Salo, S. K., Harries, C., Riddoch, M. J., Smith, A. D. (in press). Visuospatial memory in apraxia: Exploring quantitative drawing metrics to assess the representation of local and global information. Memory & Cognition.
Fouragnan EF, Hosking B, Cheung Y, Prakash B, Rushworth M & Sel A (2024) 'Timing along the cardiac cycle modulates neural signals of reward-based learning' Nature Communications 15, (1) Publisher Site , DOI
Bault N, Yaakub SN & Fouragnan E (2024) 'Early-phase neuroplasticity induced by offline transcranial ultrasound stimulation in primates' Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences 56, Publisher Site , DOI Open access
Knight Lozano R, Shannon H, Gilby J, Goddard S, Turner L & Marsden J (2024) 'Community‐based respiratory health measures in children and young people with cerebral palsy: A scoping review' Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology Publisher Site , DOI
Harpham I, Gunn H, Marsden J, Bescos Garcia R & Connolly L (2024) 'Home‐based high‐intensity interval training for people with Parkinson's: Protocol for the HIIT‐Home4Parkinson's randomized, controlled feasibility study' Health Science Reports , DOI Open access
Courtman M, Kim D, Wit H, Wang H, Sun L, Ifeachor E, Mullin S & Thurston M (2024) 'Deep Learning Detection of Aneurysm Clips for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Safety' Journal of Digital Imaging , DOI Open access
Chapman R, Zeissler M-L, Meinert E, Mullin S, Whipps S, Whipps J, Hockey K, Hockey P & Carroll CB (2023) 'Incorporating usability evaluation into iterative development of an online platform to support research participation in Parkinson’s disease: a mixed methods protocol' BMJ Open 13, (12) , DOI Open access
Klein-Flügge MC, Fouragnan EF & Martin E (2023) 'The importance of acoustic output measurement and monitoring for the replicability of transcranial ultrasonic stimulation studies' Brain Stimulation 17, (1) 32-34 , DOI Open access
Komarnyckyj M, Retzler C, Whelan R, Young O, Fouragnan E & Murphy A (2023) 'Anticipatory reward dysfunction in alcohol dependence: An electroencephalography monetary incentive delay task study' Addiction Neuroscience 8, , DOI Open access
Luca ED (2023) 'Erratum: Arabadzhiyska et al., “A Common Neural Account for Social and Nonsocial Decisions”' The Journal of Neuroscience 43, (11) 2035-2035 Publisher Site , DOI Open access
Noad R, Newman C, Chynoweth J, Mayers J, Hall S & Murphy D (2023) 'A pilot examination of the validity of stylus and finger drawing on visuomotor-mediated tests on ACEmobile' Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology 45, (5) 445-451 , DOI Open access
Lovegrove CJ, Sturkenboom IHWM, Marsden J & Bannigan K (2023) 'Concept Mapping to Define Components for an Occupation-Based Intervention for Parkinson’s Disease and Anxiety' Journal of Parkinson's Disease 1-15 , DOI Open access
Lepesis V, Paton J, Rickard A, Latour JM & Marsden J (2023) 'Effects of foot and ankle mobilisations combined with home stretches in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a proof-of-concept RCT' Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 16, (1) , DOI Open access
Hassan AB, Salihu AT, Masta MA, Gunn H, Marsden J, Abdullahi A, Ahmad RY & Danazumi MS (2023) 'Effect of transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation on spasticity in upper motor neuron conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis' Spinal Cord , DOI Open access
Rapson R, Latour JM, Carter B, Pitsouni V & Marsden JF (2023) 'The novel Next Step test is a reliable measure of anticipatory postural adjustments made by children with cerebral palsy prior to taking a step' Gait & Posture 105, 110-116 Publisher Site , DOI
Lepesis V, Marsden J, Rickard A, Latour JM & Paton J (2023) 'Systematic review and meta‐analysis of the effects of foot and ankle physical therapy, including mobilisations and exercises, in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy on range of motion, peak plantar pressures and balance' Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews , DOI Open access
Buscemi V, Boaz A, Dawes H, Jaki T, Jones F, Marsden J, Paul L, Playle R, Randell E & Robling M (2023) 'Exploring the issues that influence how people with rare neurological conditions engage in physical activity' Disability and Rehabilitation 1-10 Publisher Site , DOI
Harpham I, Gunn H, Marsden J & Connolly L (2023) 'Co-Creating a Feasible, Acceptable and Safe Home-Based High-Intensity Interval Training Programme for People with Parkinson’s: The HIIT-Home4Parkinson’s Study' IJERPH Open access
Lyndon H, Latour J, Marsden J & Kent B (2023) 'A nurse-led comprehensive geriatric assessment intervention in primary care: A feasibility cluster randomized controlled trial' Journal of Advanced Nursing , DOI Open access
Marston L, Le Novere M, Ricciardi F, Nazareth I, Carson A, Edwards M, Goldstein LH, Marsden J, Noble H & Reuber M (2023) 'COVID-19 and the Physio4FMD trial: Impact, mitigating strategies and analysis plans' Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications 33, , DOI Open access
Rapson R, Latour J, Carter B, Pitsouni V & Marsden J (2023) 'A cross sectional study investigating dynamic balance when stepping to targets in children with cerebral palsy compared to typically developing children' Gait & Posture , DOI Open access
Harpham I, Gunn H, Marsden J & Connolly L (2023) 'The feasibility, safety, physiological and clinical effects of high‑intensity interval training for people with Parkinson’s: a systematic review and meta‑analysis' Aging Clinical and Experimental Research , DOI Open access
Smith R, Seemungal B, Burgess C, Marsden J & Tahtis B (2023) 'Why are patients with acute traumatic brain injury not routinely assessed or treated for vestibular dysfunction in the UK? A qualitative study' BMJ Open , DOI Open access
Rinderknecht MD, Zanon M, Boonstra TA, Angelini L, Stanev D, Chan GG, Bunn L, Dondelinger F, Hosking R & Freeman J (2023) 'An observational study to assess validity and reliability of smartphone sensor-based gait and balance assessments in multiple sclerosis: Floodlight GaitLab protocol' DIGITAL HEALTH 9, , DOI Open access
Longman C, Milton F & Wills A (2023) 'Transfer of strategic task components across unique tasks that share some common structures' Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology , DOI Open access
Matthews J, Pisauro MA, Jurgelis M, Müller T, Vassena E, Chong TTJ, Apps MAJ. 'Computational mechanisms underlying the dynamics of physical and cognitive fatigue.' Cognition (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2023.105603
Zaksaite, T., Loveday, C., Edginton, T., Spiers, H. J., Smith, A. D. (2023). Hydrocephalus: A neuropsychological and theoretical primer. Cortex, 160, 67–99.
Yaakub, S.N., White, T.A., Roberts, J., Martin, E., Verhagen, L., Stagg, C.J., Hall, S., Fouragnan, E.F. Transcranial focused ultrasound-mediated neurochemical and functional connectivity changes in deep cortical regions in humans. Nature Communications 14, 5318 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-40998-0
Yaakub, S.N., White, T.A., Kerfoot, E., Verhagen, L., Hammers, A., Fouragnan, E.F. Pseudo-CTs from T1-weighted MRI for planning of low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound neuromodulation: An open-source tool. Brain Stimulation 16, 75-78 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2023.01.838
Attali D, Tiennot T, Schafer M, Fouragnan E, Sallet J, Caskey C, Chen R, Darmani G, Bubrick EJ & Butler C (2022) 'Three-layer model with absorption for conservative estimation of the maximum acoustic transmission coefficient through the human skull for transcranial ultrasound stimulation' Brain Stimulation 16, (1) 48-55 , DOI Open access
Pisauro MA, Fouragnan EF, Arabadzhiyska DH, Apps MAJ & Philiastides MG (2022) 'Neural implementation of computational mechanisms underlying the continuous trade-off between cooperation and competition' Nature Communications 13, (1) , DOI Open access
Fouragnan E, Arabadzhiyska DH, Garrod OGB, Philippe G S & Marios G. P (2022) 'A common neural account for social and non-social decisions' Journal of Neuroscience , DOI Open access
Komarnyckyj M, Retzler C, Cao Z, Ganis G, Murphy A, Whelan R & Fouragnan EF (2022) 'At‐risk alcohol users have disrupted valence discrimination during reward anticipation' Addiction Biology 27, (3) , DOI Open access
Buckley M, Holden L, Smith A & Haselgrove M (2022) 'The developmental trajectories of children’s reorientation to global and local properties of environmental geometry' Journal of Experimental Psychology: General , DOI Open access
Rapson R, Marsden J, Latour J, Ingram W, Stevens KN, Cocking L & Carter B (2022) 'Multicentre, randomised controlled feasibility study to compare a 10-week physiotherapy programme using an interactive exercise training device to improve walking and balance, to usual care of children with cerebral palsy aged 4–18 years: the ACCEPT study protocol' BMJ Open 12, (5) , DOI Open access
Buckingham S, Anil K, Demain S, Gunn H, Jones RB, Kent B, Logan A, Marsden J, Playford ED & Freeman J (2022) 'Telerehabilitation for people with physical disabilities and movement impairment: development and evaluation of an online toolkit for practitioners and patients' Disability and Rehabilitation 1-8 , DOI Open access
Buckingham SA, Sein K, Anil K, Demain S, Gunn H, Jones RB, Kent B, Logan A, Marsden J & Playford ED (2022) 'Telerehabilitation for physical disabilities and movement impairment: A service evaluation in South West England' Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice , DOI Open access
Law EM, Buckhurst HD, Aggarwal RK, El-Kasaby H, Marsden J, Shum GL & Buckhurst PJ (2022) 'Optimising curve fitting techniques to look for standardisation of the analysis of defocus curves derived from multifocal intraocular lenses' Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics , DOI Open access
Logan A, Freeman J, Kent B, Pooler J, Creanor S, Enki D, Vickery J, Barton A & Marsden J (2022) 'Functional standing frame programme early after severe sub-acute stroke (SPIRES): a randomised controlled feasibility trial' Pilot and Feasibility Studies 8, (1) , DOI Open access
Lepesis V, Marsden J, Paton J, Rickard A & Latour J (2022) 'Experiences of foot and ankle mobilisations combined with home stretches in people with diabetes: A qualitative study embedded in a proof-of-concept randomised controlled trial' Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 15, (7) , DOI Open access
Rapson R, King T, Morris C, Jeffery R, Mellhuish J, Stephens C & Marsden J (2022) 'Effect of different durations of using a standing frame on the rate of hip migration in children with moderate to severe cerebral palsy: a feasibility study for a randomised controlled trial' Physiotherapy 116, 42-49 , DOI Open access
Rapson R, Latour J, Marsden J, Hughes H & Carter B (2022) 'Defining usual physiotherapy care in ambulant children with cerebral palsy in the UK: A mixed methods consensus study' Child: Care, Health and Development , DOI Open access
Buckingham SA, Anil K, Demain S, Gunn H, Jones RB, Kent B, Logan A, Marsden J, Playford ED & Freeman J (2022) 'Authors' Responses to Peer Review of “Telerehabilitation for People With Physical Disabilities and Movement Impairment: A Survey of United Kingdom Practitioners”' JMIRx Med 3, (1) , DOI Open access
Buckingham SA, Anil K, Demain S, Gunn H, Jones RB, Kent B, Logan A, Marsden J, Playford ED & Freeman J (2022) 'Telerehabilitation for People With Physical Disabilities and Movement Impairment: A Survey of United Kingdom Practitioners' JMIRx Med 3, (1) , DOI Open access
Prince A, Marsden J, Wren Y, Hayhow R & Harding S (2022) 'The Fluency Trust Residential Course for young people who stutter: A pragmatic feasibility study' Journal of Communication Disorders 95, , DOI Open access
Vrij A, Granhag PA, Ashkenazi T, Ganis G, Leal S & Fisher RP (2022) 'Verbal Lie Detection: Its Past, Present and Future' Brain Sciences 12, (12) 1644-1644 , DOI Open access
Upshaw JD, Stevens CE, Ganis G & Zabelina DL (2022) 'The hidden cost of a smartphone: The effects of smartphone notifications on cognitive control from a behavioral and electrophysiological perspective' PLOS ONE 17, (11) , DOI Open access
Komarnyckyj M, Retzler C, Cao Z, Ganis G, Murphy A, Whelan R & Fouragnan EF (2022) 'At‐risk alcohol users have disrupted valence discrimination during reward anticipation' Addiction Biology 27, (3) , DOI Open access
Hollins T, Seabrooke T, Inkster A, Wills A & Mitchell C (2022) 'Pre-testing Effects Are Target-Specific and Are Not Driven by a Generalised State of Curiosity' Memory , DOI Open access
Inkster A, Mitchell C, Schlegelmilch R & Wills A (2022) 'Effect of a context shift on the inverse base rate effect' Open Journal of Experimental Psychology and Neuroscience 1, 22-29 , DOI Open access
Spicer S, Mitchell C, Wills A, Blake K & Jones P (2022) 'Theory protection: do humans protect existing associative links?' Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Learning and Cognition 48, (1) 1-16 , DOI Open access
Xinhua Yang, Jia Huang, Matthew E.Roser, Guangrong Xiee 2022. Anhedonia reduction correlates with increased ventral caudate connectivity with superior frontal gyrus in depression. Journal of Psychiatric Research. 151, p286-290.
Ward E, Ganis G, McDonough KL & Bach P 2022 'EXPRESS: Is Implicit Level-2 Visual perspective taking embodied? Spontaneous perceptual simulation of others’ perspectives is not impaired by motor restriction' Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology 174702182210771-174702182210771, DOI Open access
Law EM, Aggarwal RK, Buckhurst H, Kasaby HE, Marsden J, Shum G & Buckhust PJ (2021) 'One-year post-operative comparison of visual function and patient satisfaction with trifocal and extended depth of focus intraocular lenses' European Journal of Ophthalmology 32, (5) 2967-2974 , DOI Open access
Ramdharry G, Buscemi V, Boaz A, Dawes H, Jaki T, Jones F, Marsden J, Paul L, Playle R & Randell E (2021) 'Proposing a Core Outcome Set for Physical Activity and Exercise Interventions in People With Rare Neurological Conditions' Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences 2, , DOI Open access
Lyndon H, Latour J, Marsden J & Kent B (2021) 'Designing a nurse-led assessment and care planning intervention to support frail older people in primary care: An e-Delphi study' Journal of Advanced Nursing , DOI Open access
Anil K, Freeman JA, Buckingham S, Demain S, Gunn H, Jones RB, Logan A, Marsden J, Playford D & Sein K (2021) 'Scope, context and quality of telerehabilitation guidelines for physical disabilities: a scoping review' BMJ Open 11, (8) , DOI Open access
Law EM, Aggarwal RK, Buckhurst H, Kasaby HE, Marsden J, Shum G & Buckhust PJ (2021) 'Predicting the Postoperative Addition Power of a Multifocal Intraocular Lens at the Spectacle Plane' Journal of Refractive Surgery 37, (5) 318-323 , DOI Open access
Lane D, Tessari A, Ottoboni G & Marsden J (2021) 'Body representation in people with apraxia post Stroke– an observational study' Brain Injury 35, (4) 468-475 , DOI Open access
Jones PM, Mitchell C, Wills A & Spicer S (2021) 'Similarities and differences: Comment on Chan et al' Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Learning and Cognition , DOI Open access
Spicer SG, Wills AJ, Jones PM, Mitchell CJ & Dome L (2021) 'Representing uncertainty in the Rescorla-Wagner model: Blocking, the redundancy effect, and outcome base rate' Open Journal of Experimental Psychology and Neuroscience 1, 14-21 Publisher Site , DOI Open access
Yang, X., Huang, J., Harrision, P., Roser, M. E., Tian, K., Wang, D., & Liu, G. (2021). Motivational differences in unipolar and bipolar depression, manic bipolar, acute and stable phase schizophrenia. Journal of Affective Disorders, 283, 254-261.
Darmani G, Bergmann TO, Butts Pauly K, Caskey CF, de Lecea L, Fomenko A, Fouragnan E, Legon W, Murphy KR & Nandi T 2021 'Non-invasive transcranial ultrasound stimulation for neuromodulation' Clinical Neurophysiology 135, 51-73, DOI Open access
Abdulhamid H, Jäger N, Schnädelbach H & Smith A 2021 'Room to breathe: Using adaptive architecture to examine the relationship between alexithymia and interoception' Journal of Psychosomatic Research 153, DOI Open access
Folloni D, Fouragnan E, Wittmann MK, Roumazeilles L, Tankelevitch L, Verhagen L, Attali D, Aubry J-F, Sallet J & Rushworth MFS 2021 'Ultrasound modulation of macaque prefrontal cortex selectively alters credit assignment–related activity and behavior' Science Advances 7, (51), DOI Open access
Inkster A, Milton F, Edmunds CER, Benattayallah A & Wills A 2021 'Neural correlates of the inverse base-rate effect' Human Brain Mapping, DOI Open access
Smith A & De Lillo C 2021 'Sources of variation in search and foraging: A theoretical perspective' Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, DOI Open access
Smith A, Priestnall G & Cross J 2021 'Supporting spatial orientation during route following through dynamic maps with off-screen landmark persistence' Spatial Cognition and Computation, DOI Open access
Anil K, Hall S, Demain S, Freeman J, Ganis G & Marsden J 2021 'A Systematic Review of Neurofeedback for the Management of Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease' Brain Sciences 11, (10) 1292-1292, DOI Open access
Schlegelmilch R, Wills A & von Helversen B 2021 'A Cognitive Category-Learning Model of Rule Abstraction, Attention Learning, and Contextual Modulation' Psychological Review, DOI Open access
Seabrooke T, Mitchell C, Wills A, Inkster A & Hollins T 2021 'The Benefits of Impossible Tests: Assessing the Role of Error-Correction in the Pretesting Effect' Memory and Cognition, DOI Open access
Pavlov YG, Adamian N, Appelhoff S, Arvaneh M, Benwell CSY, Beste C, Bland AR, Bradford DE, Bublatzky F & Busch NA 2021 '#EEGManyLabs: Investigating the replicability of influential EEG experiments' Cortex Publisher Site, DOI Open access
Mehesz E, Karoui H, Strutton PH & Hughes SW 2021 'Exposure to an Immersive Virtual Reality Environment can Modulate Perceptual Correlates of Endogenous Analgesia and Central Sensitization in Healthy Volunteers' The Journal of Pain 22, (6) 707-714, DOI Open access
Bault N & Rusconi E (2020) 'The Art of Influencing Consumer Choices: A Reflection on Recent Advances in Decision Neuroscience' Frontiers in Psychology 10, , DOI Open access
Ahmadpoor N, Smith A & Heath T (2020) 'Rethinking legibility in the era of digital mobile maps: An empirical study' Journal of Urban Design , DOI Open access
Ahmadpoor N & Smith A (2020) 'Spatial knowledge acquisition and mobile maps: The role of environmental legibility' Cities , DOI Open access
Marsden J, Pavlou M, Dennett R, Gibbon A, Knight-Lozano R, Jeu L, Flavell C, Freeman J, Bamiou DE & Harris C (2020) 'Vestibular rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness analysis comparing customised with booklet based vestibular rehabilitation for vestibulopathy and a 12 month observational cohort study of the symptom reduction and recurrence rate following treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo' BMC Neurology 20, (1) , DOI Open access
Smith RM, Marroney N, Beattie J, Newdick A, Tahtis V, Burgess C, Marsden J & Seemungal BM (2020) 'A mixed methods randomised feasibility trial investigating the management of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in acute traumatic brain injury' Pilot and Feasibility Studies 6, (1) , DOI Open access
Logan A, Freeman J, Pooler J, Kent B, Gunn H, Billings S, Cork E & Marsden J (2020) 'Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions to treat orthostatic hypotension in elderly people and people with a neurological condition' JBI Evidence Synthesis Publish Ahead of Print, , DOI Open access
Lovegrove CJ & Marsden J (2020) 'Service evaluation of an acute Parkinson's therapy pathway between hospital and home' International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation 27, (7) 1-6 , DOI Open access
Rogers A, Morrison SC, Gorst T, Paton J, Freeman J, Marsden J & Cramp MC (2020) 'Repeatability of plantar pressure assessment during barefoot walking in people with stroke' Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 13, (1) , DOI Open access
Law E, Aggarwal R, Buckhurst H, Kasaby H, Marsden J, Shum G & Buckhurst P (2020) 'Visual Function and Subjective Perception of Vision following bilateral implantation of monofocal and multifocal intraocular lenses: A Randomised Controlled Trial' Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 46, (7) 1020-1020 , DOI Open access
Seabrooke T, Mitchell C, Wills A & Hollins T (2020) 'Pretesting boosts recognition, but not cued recall, of targets from unrelated word pairs' Psychonomic Bulletin and Review , DOI Open access
Edmunds C, Inkster A, Jones P, Milton F & Wills A (2020) 'Absence of cross-modality analogical transfer in perceptual categorization' Open Journal of Experimental Psychology and Neuroscience , DOI Open access
Wills A, Ellett L, Milton F, Croft G & Beesley T (2020) 'A dimensional summation account of polymorphous category learning' Learning and Behavior 48, (1) 66-83 , DOI Open access
Hughes SW, Hellyer PJ, Sharp DJ, Newbould RD, Patel MC & Strutton PH 2020 'Diffusion tensor imaging of lumbar spinal nerves reveals changes in microstructural integrity following decompression surgery associated with improvements in clinical symptoms: A case report' Magnetic Resonance Imaging 69, 65-70, DOI Open access
Contreras-Huerta LS, Pisauro MA, Apps MAJ, 'Effort shapes social cognition and behaviour: a neuro-cognitive framework'. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.08.003
Lopez-Persem A, Roumazeilles L, Folloni D, Marche K, Fouragnan EF, Khalighinejad N, Rushworth MFS & Sallet J 2020 'Differential functional connectivity underlying asymmetric reward-related activity in human and nonhuman primates' Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 117, (45) 28452-28462, DOI Open access
Baxter R & Smith A 2020 'Searching for individual determinants of probabilistic cueing in large-scale immersive virtual environments' Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology Publisher Site, DOI Open access
Trudel N, Scholl J, Klein-Flügge MC, Fouragnan E, Tankelevitch L, Wittmann MK & Rushworth MFS 2020 'Polarity of uncertainty representation during exploration and exploitation in ventromedial prefrontal cortex' Nature Human Behaviour 5, (1) 83-98, DOI Open access
Wittmann M, Fouragnan E, Folloni D, Klein-Flugge M, Chau B, Khamassi M & Rushworth M 2020 'Global reward state affects learning and activity in raphe nucleus and anterior insula in monkeys' Nature Communications 11, (1) 0-0, DOI Open access
Botvinik-Nezer R, Holzmeister F, Camerer CF, Dreber A, Huber J, Johannesson M, Kirchler M, Iwanir R, Mumford JA & Adcock RA 2020 'Variability in the analysis of a single neuroimaging dataset by many teams' Nature 582, (7810) 84-88, DOI Open access
Hughes SW, Basra M, Chan C, Parr C, Wong F, Gomes S & Strutton PH 2020 'Capsaicin-Induced Changes in Electrical Pain Perception Threshold Can Be Used to Assess the Magnitude of Secondary Hyperalgesia in Humans' Pain Medicine, DOI Open access
Hughes SW, Ward G & Strutton PH 2020 'Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary motor cortex attenuates capsaicin‐induced dynamic mechanical allodynia and mechanical pain sensitivity in humans' European Journal of Pain 24, (6) 1130-1137, DOI Open access
Ward E, Ganis G, McDonough KL & Bach P 2020 'Perspective taking as virtual navigation? Perceptual simulation of what others see reflects their location in space but not their gaze' Cognition 199, 104241-104241, DOI Open access
Hughes SW, Hellyer PJ, Sharp DJ, Newbould RD, Patel MC & Strutton PH 2020 'Diffusion tensor imaging of lumbar spinal nerves reveals changes in microstructural integrity following decompression surgery associated with improvements in clinical symptoms: A case report' Magnetic Resonance Imaging 69, 65-70, DOI Open access
Queirazza F, Fouragnan E, Steele JD, Cavanagh J & Philiastides MG (2019) 'Neural correlates of weighted reward prediction error during reinforcement learning classify response to cognitive behavioral therapy in depression' Science Advances 5, (7) eaav4962-eaav4962 , DOI Open access
Bault N, di Pellegrino G, Puppi M, Opolczynski G, Monti A, Braghittoni D, Thibaut F, Rustichini A & Coricelli G (2019) 'Dissociation between Private and Social Counterfactual Value Signals Following Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Damage' Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience 31, (5) 639-656 , DOI Open access
Buckley M, Holden L, Spicer S, Smith AD & Haselgrove M (2019) 'Crossing boundaries: Global reorientation following transfer from the inside to the outside of an arena' Journal of Experimental Psychology: Animal Learning and Cognition , DOI Open access
Wallace A, Tallelli P, Crook L, Austin D, Farrelll R, Hoad D, O'Keefe AG, Marsden J, Fitzpatrick R & Greenwood R (2019) 'Exploratory randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial of botulinum therapy on grasp release after Stroke (PrOMBiS)' Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair Open access
Nielsen G, Stone J, Buszewicz M, Carson A, Goldstein LH, Holt K, Hunter R, Marsden J, Marston L & Noble H (2019) 'Physio4FMD: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial of specialist physiotherapy for functional motor disorder' BMC Neurology 19, (1) , DOI Open access
Lyndon H, Underwood F, Latour JM, Marsden J, Brown A & Kent B (2019) 'Effectiveness of nurse-coordinated, person-centered comprehensive assessment on improving quality of life of community-dwelling frail older people' JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports 1-1 , DOI Open access
Gorst T, Marsden J & Freeman J (2019) 'Lower limb somatosensory discrimination is impaired in people with Parkinson's disease: novel assessment and associations with balance, gait and falls' Movement Disorders Clinical Practice 593-593 , DOI Open access
Lyndon H, Latour JM, Marsden J, Campbell S, Stevens K & Kent B (2019) 'The Holistic Assessment and care Planning in Partnership Intervention Study [HAPPI]: A Protocol for a feasibility, cluster randomised controlled trial' Journal of Advanced Nursing , DOI Open access
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The partnership

This project is a unique £9 million collaboration between the University of Plymouth , University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHPNT) and the research charity DDRC Healthcare. This partnership represents an important commitment to advancing excellence and synergy between research, healthcare and education.
University of Plymouth
The University has one of the largest and best resourced psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience schools in the UK. We are ranked top 2 overall in the UK and in the top 3 for teaching Psychology in the UK (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024). 84% of our research output is rated 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent' in the REF2021.
DDRC Healthcare
With Care Quality Commission registration and a long-established reputation for delivering treatment, training and research in hyperbaric medicine, DDRC have an excellent track record of providing clinical services for the NHS, treating around 100 patients a year.
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHPNT)
UHPNT is the largest hospital in the South West peninsula, providing comprehensive secondary and tertiary healthcare, and is fast becoming a leading centre for medical research, enabling patients to have access to the latest technologies, treatments and care by world opinion leaders in their respective fields.
 

Opportunities for commercial collaboration

BRIC’s cutting-edge research facilities and world-leading expertise across a range of disciplines will present attractive commercial opportunities, particularly in the areas of healthcare, sports and pharmaceuticals, to support the real-world application of advanced skills and techniques.
For enquiries or further information please contact: bric@plymouth.ac.uk

Every aspect of this project will allow DDRC Healthcare to grow and develop. It is a true collaboration that consolidates our many years of working with the University of Plymouth and the NHS. The co-location of neurological research excellence, state-of-the-art imaging facilities and a hyperbaric medical centre will move us to the forefront of international research and training.

Dr Gary Smerdon
Chief Executive, DDRC Healthcare

Our patients will be scanned on a state-of-the-art 3T MRI scanner. This means improved diagnosis and treatment, and improved access to timely imaging. Moreover the project will allow our patients to participate in more clinical research trials than they have previously had access to.

Dr Lucy McGavin
Consultant Neuroradiologist, UHPNT
BRIC map with directions v6

BRIC contact details

Brain Research & Imaging Centre, c/o Hyperbaric Medical Centre, Research Way, Plymouth Devon PL6 8BU. what3words: Bright.Green.Daisy