Dr Elsa Fouragnan
Profiles

Dr Elsa Fouragnan

Associate Professor

School of Psychology (Faculty of Health)

Dr Elsa Fouragnan can be contacted through arrangement with our Press Office, to speak to the media on these areas of expertise.
  • Computational neuroscience
  • Addiction
  • Ultrasound brain stimulation
  • Decision-making
  • Depression
  • fMRI
  • EEG
  • Reward-based learning
Biography

Biography

Future Leader Fellow UKRIHead of the Stimulation Unit at BRIC
Associate Professor in Neuroscience
Personal webpage.
Bio: My research focuses on the neurobiology of decision-making and learning, both in healthy adults and in patients with psychiatric disorders. After working as a biomedical engineer, developing brain-related clinical devises, I pursued an academic career in computational neuroscience at the universities of Glasgow and Oxford. My previous research focused on the proof of principle that transcranial ultrasound neuromodulation can safely and transiently change neural activity in precise parts of the brain, particularly deep regions of the brain, repsonsible for core cognitive and motivational processes. I am now working towards bringing this technology forward and apply it to mental health challenges. 
Do you know how incredible the different applications of therapeutic ultrasound can be for mental health disorders? I created this cool video with @Animate_Science
https://youtube.com/watch?v=KsuqRldCspU… Enjoy! 

Qualifications

PhD in Computational Neuroscience - European fellowship & Visiting scholar at USC, Los Angeles, USA Master in Biomedical Engineering (ENSC Bordeaux, France) with distinction

Roles on external bodies

Excecutive board member of ITRUSST (International Transcranial Ultrasonic Stimulation Safety and Standards). We are an international consortium working together towards the safe and effective application of transcranial focused ultrasound for neuromodulation. ITRUSST aims to establish consensus on expert guides, guidelines, and standardization for this neuromodulatory technique. Effective member since 2018-presentBoard member of the Change Group, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Oxford, 2017-2018
Treasurer, French federation of students and early researchers in Cognitive Sciences, 2006 

Key publications

Fouragnan EF, Chau BKH, Folloni D, Kolling N, Verhagen L, Klein-Flügge M, Tankelevitch L, Papageorgiou GK, Aubry J-F & Sallet J (2019) 'The macaque anterior cingulate cortex translates counterfactual choice value into actual behavioral change' Nature Neuroscience 22, (5) 797-808 , DOI Open access
Fouragnan E, Queirazza F, Retzler C, Mullinger KJ & Philiastides MG (2017) 'Spatiotemporal neural characterization of prediction error valence and surprise during reward learning in humans' Scientific Reports 7, (1) , DOI Open access
Fouragnan E, Retzler C, Mullinger K & Philiastides MG (2015) 'Two spatiotemporally distinct value systems shape reward-based learning in the human brain' Nature Communications 6, (0) 0-0 , DOI Open access
Yaakub SN, White TA, Roberts J, Martin E, Verhagen L, Stagg CJ, Hall S & Fouragnan EF (2023) 'Transcranial focused ultrasound-mediated neurochemical and functional connectivity changes in deep cortical regions in humans' Nature Communications 14, (1) , DOI Open access
View all publications
Teaching

Teaching

Teaching interests

UG:
· 412 - Psychological Science
· 415 - Topics in Psychology
· 406 - Applied psychology
· 404 - Current topics in Psychology
· 606 - Applications of Psychological Theory
MA:
· 771 - Issues in Cognitive and Brain Science
· 778 - The physics of neuroimaging
· 775 - Foundations and Applications of Neuroimaging and Neurostimulation
· 778 - The Physics of Neuroimaging (Module leader)
· 784 - Advanced Practice in Neuroimaging and Neurostimulation
· 785 - Neuroscience research project

Staff serving as external examiners

PhD examiner (past VIVA):
  • Elodie Levy, ICM, CNRS, Paris, France
  • Nicolas Clairis , ICM, CNRS, Paris, France 
  • Joshua Bolam (University of Leeds)
  • Paul Knytl (University of Surrey)
PhS supervisor:
  •  Kenza Kadri, University of Plymouth, UK. DoS
  • Mica Komarnyckyj, University of Huddersfield, UK co-DoS (VIVA passed in 2022)
  • Timothy Palmer, University of Plymouth, UK DoS
  • Nomiki Koutsoumpari, University of Plymouth, UK DoS 
  • Mathilde Lojkiewiez , University of Plymouth, UK Co-DoS
Research

Research

Research interests

I am fascinated by the brain's remarkable capacity to process our continually changing environment, allowing us to avoid repeated mistakes and make smart decisions. How is this normally achieved, and what are the consequences of brain damage? To address these questions, a large part of my work focuses on both value-based decision-making and reward-learning and involves various methods including multimodal neuroimaging (simultaneous EEG-fMRI), focal ultrasound neurostimulation (TUS) and comparative neuroscience.

Research groups

Other research

John Rothwell Award (Reward excellence in non-invasive brain stimulation research), 2023

Science and PINS prize for Neuromodulation, followed by a Prize Essay in the journal Science(awarded to supervised PhD student Davide Folloni for co-authored papers)
Vice Chancellor’s Award – University of Plymouth - Research and Impact Excellence, 2022
Award for best Neuroscientific contribution (~$20,000) by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 2019
Best poster price, Foundation for Focused Ultrasound, Oxford University, September 2019
Best poster price, Neuroeconomics Summer School, Amsterdam University, June 2012
Award for exceptional performance in Mathematics, Atomic Energy Commissariat, Toulouse, 2006

Research degrees awarded to supervised students

Mica Komarnyckyj, PhD in Psychology, University of Huddersfield, UK, 2018 – 2022 (VIVA passed successfully in 2022) – Now postdoc at the University of Manchester
Rory Baxter, PhD in Psychology, University of Plymouth, UK, 2018 – VIVA 2022
Eleonora Parrotta, PhD in Psychology, University of Plymouth, UK, 2018 – Present
Nadescha Trudel, PhD in Psychology, University of Oxford, UK, 2018 – VIVA 2021 – Now postdoc at Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing, London
Davide Folloni, PhD in Psychology, University of Oxford, UK, 2018 – VIVA 2021 - Now postdoc at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; USA; Science and PINS prize for Neuromodulation, followed by a Prize Essay in the journal Science(on co-authored papers).

Grants & contracts

RESEARCH GRANTS
BBSRC Standard Responsive Mode 2024-2029 (£1,285,749) PI “Multi-site and state-dependent effects of Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation on brain function and cognition“
Wellcome Trust Career Development Award 2023-2029 (£2,140,669) Collaborator “Neural simulation as a neurocompational mechanism underpinning pathological worry“

Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) 2021-2022 (£116,200) PI “New generation of ultrasound brain stimulation device for double-blinded investigations“
UKRI Future Leaders Fellow 2020-2024 (£1,030,995) PI “Mapping the neural basis of credit assignment for a new targeted intervention in addiction”
Leverhulme 2019-2022: Award to Patric Bach (PI) (£462,995) Co-I “Social perception as Bayesian hypothesis testing and revision”
SMALL RESEARCH GRANTS
Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research (PIHR) 2022-2023 (£2,947) PI “The effects of transcranial ultrasound stimulation of the anterior cingulate cortex in a human model of secondary hyperalgesia: a pilot study“
Multiple BRIC Pump Priming (>£30,000) 
  • PI “Neuromodulation of hyperalgesia with TUS on the anterior cingulate cortex” 2022-2023 
  • PI “Neurochemical and functional connectivity effects of TUS in humans” 2021-2022 
  • PI “Effects of TUS on early visual detection” 2021-2022 
  • Co-I “The Neuropsychological Markers of Specific Digital Harms: Highly Visual Social Media & Body Image Concern” 2022-2023 
  • Co-I “Double dissociation of the dmPFC and TPJ in social counterfactual learning” 2022-2023 
  • Co-I “Optimizing acquisition of prefrontal signal with multiband-multiecho fMRI” 2021-2022
Praxis Clinical Grant 2012: Award to Remi Neveu (£2000) Co-I “The role of emotions and impulsivity in eating disorders”
Travel grant for J-1 exchange visitor (6 months), USC, Los Angeles, USA, 2010 PhD visitor Scholar, KAP Economics Department, University of Southern California
Publications

Publications

Key publications

Fouragnan EF, Chau BKH, Folloni D, Kolling N, Verhagen L, Klein-Flügge M, Tankelevitch L, Papageorgiou GK, Aubry J-F & Sallet J (2019) 'The macaque anterior cingulate cortex translates counterfactual choice value into actual behavioral change' Nature Neuroscience 22, (5) 797-808 , DOI Open access
Fouragnan E, Queirazza F, Retzler C, Mullinger KJ & Philiastides MG (2017) 'Spatiotemporal neural characterization of prediction error valence and surprise during reward learning in humans' Scientific Reports 7, (1) , DOI Open access
Fouragnan E, Retzler C, Mullinger K & Philiastides MG (2015) 'Two spatiotemporally distinct value systems shape reward-based learning in the human brain' Nature Communications 6, (0) 0-0 , DOI Open access
Yaakub SN, White TA, Roberts J, Martin E, Verhagen L, Stagg CJ, Hall S & Fouragnan EF (2023) 'Transcranial focused ultrasound-mediated neurochemical and functional connectivity changes in deep cortical regions in humans' Nature Communications 14, (1) , DOI Open access

Key publications are highlighted

Journals
Articles
Yaakub SN, White TA, Roberts J, Martin E, Verhagen L, Stagg CJ, Hall S & Fouragnan EF (2023) 'Transcranial focused ultrasound-mediated neurochemical and functional connectivity changes in deep cortical regions in humans' Nature Communications 14, (1) , 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 , DOI Open access
Yaakub SN, White TA, Kerfoot E, Verhagen L, Hammers A & Fouragnan EF (2023) 'Pseudo-CTs from T1-weighted MRI for planning of low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound neuromodulation: An open-source tool' Brain Stimulation 16, (1) 75-78 , DOI Open access
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
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
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
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
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
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
Fouragnan EF, Chau BKH, Folloni D, Kolling N, Verhagen L, Klein-Flügge M, Tankelevitch L, Papageorgiou GK, Aubry J-F & Sallet J (2019) 'The macaque anterior cingulate cortex translates counterfactual choice value into actual behavioral change' Nature Neuroscience 22, (5) 797-808 , DOI Open access
Folloni D, Verhagen L, Mars R, Fouragnan E, Constans C, Aubry J-F, Rushworth MFS & Sallet J (2019) 'Manipulation of subcortical and deep cortical activity in the primate brain using transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation' Neuron , DOI Open access
Fouragnan E, Retzler C & Philiastides MG (2018) 'Separate neural representations of prediction error valence and surprise: Evidence from an fMRI meta-analysis' Human Brain Mapping Author Site , DOI Open access
Fouragnan E, Queirazza F, Retzler C, Mullinger KJ & Philiastides MG (2017) 'Spatiotemporal neural characterization of prediction error valence and surprise during reward learning in humans' Scientific Reports 7, (1) , DOI Open access
Pisauro MA, Fouragnan E, Retzler C & Philiastides MG (2017) 'Neural correlates of evidence accumulation during value-based decisions revealed via simultaneous EEG-fMRI' Nature Communications 8, (1) , DOI Open access
Neveu R, Fouragnan E, Barsumian F, Carrier E, Lai M, Nicolas A, Neveu D & Coricelli G (2016) 'Preference for Safe Over Risky Options in Binge Eating' Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 10, , DOI Open access
Neveu R, Fouragnan E, Barsumian F, Carrier E, Lai M, Nicolas A, Neveu D & Coricelli G (2016) 'Preference for Safe Over Risky Options in Binge Eating' FRONTIERS IN BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 10, Author Site , DOI
Fouragnan E, Retzler C, Mullinger K & Philiastides MG (2015) 'Two spatiotemporally distinct value systems shape reward-based learning in the human brain' Nature Communications 6, (0) 0-0 , DOI Open access
Neveu R, Neveu D, Barsumian F, Fouragnan E, Carrier E, Lai M, Sultan J, Nicolas A & Coricelli G (2014) 'Improved Planning Abilities in Binge Eating' PLoS ONE 9, (8) e105657-e105657 , DOI Open access
Fouragnan E, Chierchia G, Greiner S, Neveu R, Avesani P & Coricelli G (2013) 'Reputational Priors Magnify Striatal Responses to Violations of Trust' The Journal of Neuroscience 33, (8) 3602-3611 , DOI
Reports
Fouragnan E. The Neural Computation of Trust and Reputation.(April 2013) PhD thesis http://eprints-phd.biblio.unitn.it/970/ Matthews R, Soussou W, Fouragnan E, Turner P J, Shelby R A. (June, August, October, December 2008) Wearable Electrophysiological Sensor Array for Detection of Neurotoxic Effects.Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency Phase II [bi-monthly reports and final report submitted to DARPA] 4

Matthews R, Fouragnan E, McDonald N J, Soussou W, Turner P J, Shelby RA. (August, October 2008) Real-Time Bio-Sensors for Enhanced C2ISR Operator Performance.Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Phase II [bi-monthly reports and final report submitted to DARPA]

Soussou W, Turner PJ, Fouragnan E, Trejo J. (November 2008) EEG Electrode Noise/Classification trade-off study and CMR/Classification experimentation [QUASAR internal report]

Fouragnan E, Lofi A, Hugon E, Danoy P. (July 2002) Which services for wellbeing, stress and anxiety management?[Technical Reports of Nouvelles Frontières]

Presentations and posters
Komarnyckyj M, Retzler C, Whelan R, Fouragnan E & Murphy A Komarnyckyj M, Retzler C, Whelan R, Fouragnan E & Murphy A 'Anticipatory reward dysfunction in alcohol dependence: an electroencephalography monetary Incentive delay task study' , DOI
Personal

Personal

Reports & invited lectures

Conferences organised

Focused Ultrasound 2022: link hereComputational Properties of the Prefrontal Cortex, link.

Other academic activities

Key speaker:
Society for Psychophysiological Research, Presidential Symposium, September 2022
8th International Symposium on Focused Ultrasound, September 2022
Welcome for Integrative Neuroscience, Launch Symposium, Oxford, November 2017
Chair:
8th International Symposium on Focused Ultrasound, September 2022
Computational Properties of the Prefrontal Cortex, Oxford, May 2021
Invited guest lecturer:
5th International conference for Brain Stimulation, Lisbon, February 2023
Univeristy of John Moores, Liverpool, January 2023
Workshop NIBS Copenhagen, December 2022
Seminar series, University of Liverpool, December 2022
Workshop Nijmegen, Invited lecturer by Lennart Verhagen, September 2022
32nd International Congress of Clinical Neurophysiology, September 2022
18th NWG-funded NIBS-course “TUS: Best Practice“, July 2022
Seminar on Ultrasound Neurostimulation. Oxford, July 2022
15th World congress of the International Neuromodulation Society, Barcelona, May 2022
International Symposium on Biology of Decision Making. Oxford, May 2020
ISAM Neuroscience Interest Group (NIG), seminar, February 2020
Seminar series Huddersfield, UK. September, 2019
British Association for Cognitive Neuroscience, Glasgow, UK. September, 2019
INSPIRE Interdisciplinary Meeting. School of medicine, Plymouth, April 2019
Seminar series. University of Huddersfield. Huddersfield, UK, November 2018
Seminar series. University of Plymouth. Plymouth, UK, October 2018
Cognitive & Behavioural Neuroscience Seminar. Oxford, UK, January 2017
LNiF series, Centre for Brain and Cognitive Science. Trento, Italy, June 2015
Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience. CNRS, Lyon, France, January 2015
Centre for Decision Research & Experimental Economics. Nottingham, UK, February 2013
LNiF series, Centre for Brain and Cognitive Science, Trento, Italy, April 2012,
Department of Economics KAP, USC, Los Angeles, USA, November 2010
Alptis Conferences and debates. Annual congress, Pessac, France, October 2008
Poster presentation as first author:
British Association for Cognitive Neuroscience, Plymouth, UK, September, 2017
Society for Neuroscience. Washington, USA, October 2017
Neuroeconomics Society, Annual Conference, Toronto, Canada. October, 2017
International Symposium on Biology of Decision Making, Bordeaux, France, May 2017
Society for Neuroscience. Chicago, USA, October 2015
Organisation for Human Brain Mapping, Hamburg, Germany, June 2014
Society for Neuroeconomics. Lausanne, Switzerland, June 2013
Society for Neuroeconomics. Miami, USA, September 2012
Concepts, Actions and Object (CAOs), Rovereto, May 2011
Poster presentation as last author:
8th International Symposium on Focused Ultrasound, September 2022 
Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum, Paris, France, July 2022
6TH HBP student conference on interdisciplinary brain research, February 2022
Faculty of Health PGR showcase, Plymouth, June 2022
Computational Properties of the Prefrontal Cortex, Oxford, May 2022
International Symposium on Biology of Decision Making (online), 2021
Neurofrance (online), May 2021
SSA PhD symposium (online), November 2021
SSA Annual conference (online), November 2021 
International Symposium on Biology of Decision Making (online), May 2020