Mapping circuits, modeling motivation, guiding precision interventions, digital phenotyping and biofeedback
The NeuroSCOPE lab investigates the brain circuits underlying motivation and mood, with a particular focus on characterising depression. We are interested in combining multi-modal neuroscientific tools to not only deepen our understanding of the human brain but also to advance personalised mental healthcare. Using high-resolution 7T MRI, reinforcement learning paradigms, and digital phenotyping via EMAware technology, we aim to characterise motivation and its neural mechanisms. Through integrating neuroimaging with precision biofeedback interventions, we aim to map and modulate brain activity, implementing a rigorous and individualised approach to understanding and treating mood disorders.
Our team
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Sankalp Garud
Postdoctoral Researcher
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Mayra Albayrak
Research Assistant
Latest publications
Serum neurofilament light chain in fibromyalgia: comparative evidence of neuronal injury across chronic pain conditions.
Journal article
Fundaun J. et al, (2026), Pain Rep, 11
The behavioural effects of the serotonin 1A receptor agonist buspirone on reward processing in healthy volunteers: A randomised, placebo-controlled study
Journal article
Smith ALW. et al, (2026), Journal of Psychopharmacology
Key Readings
Digital measures of activity and motivation impact depression and anxiety in the real world
Cross-species dissection of the modular role of the ventral tegmental area in depressive disorders
Ventral tegmental area integrity measured with high-resolution 7-Tesla MRI relates to motivation across depression and anxiety diagnoses