Centre for Therapeutic Ultrasound (CENTUS)
The UK's leading transcranial ultrasound stimulation research centre
The Â鶹´«Ã½ is home to the first transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) research centre in the UK, focusing on TUS safety, biomechanics, and clinical studies.
Professor Elsa Fouragnan, a recognised leader in brain stimulation research in the UK and internationally, guides our efforts. Our unique, multidisciplinary approach involves collaboration across multiple research labs and patient facilities. We bring together neuroimaging, neurostimulation, computational modelling, and engineering to pioneer TUS research that could benefit millions of people.
Additionally, as an active member of the International Transcranial Ultrasonic Stimulation Safety and Standards consortium (ITRUSST), we are contributing to diagnostic guidelines and regulatory recommendations worldwide.
At CENTUS, we are advancing the development of transcranial ultrasound stimulation as a robust and versatile modality for both probing neural mechanisms and addressing complex brain disorders. Through collaboration between leading researchers and clinicians, we aim to push the boundaries of non-invasive neuromodulation and drive forward the next generation of neuroscience and therapeutic innovation.
Professor Elsa Fouragnan
Professor of Neuroscience and Director of CENTUS
Our mission
Our mission is to advance neuromodulation research, drive education and outreach, and accelerate therapeutic solutions through transcranial ultrasound stimulation.
- Six clinical studies completed
- Seven ongoing healthy participant studies
- Two ongoing clinical studies
- 15 human studies have obtained ethical approval
Research themes
Human cognitive neuroscience
Analysing neuroscientific techniques and effects on human cognition.
Magnetic resonance development
Developing open source, novel tools for use in future TUS clinical studies and progress research into therapeutic ultrasound.
Metrology
Investigating the physics of TUS.
Software development
Developing acoustic modelling of TUS.
Clinical trials
Undertaking the first TUS clinical studies in the UK to investigate essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease, addiction and OCD.
Animal models
Developing safety standards and investigating the biomechanisms of TUS.
Research team
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![Professor Elsa Fouragnan Professor]( "Professor Elsa Fouragnan")
Professor Elsa Fouragnan
Professor
Director of CENTUS
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![Dr Cyril Atkinson-Clement Lecturer]( "Dr Cyril Atkinson-Clement")
Dr Cyril Atkinson-Clement
Lecturer
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![Dr Nadège Bault Lecturer in Psychology (Behavioural or Cognitive Neuroscience)]( "Dr Nadège Bault")
Dr Nadège Bault
Lecturer in Psychology (Behavioural or Cognitive Neuroscience)
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![Professor Stephen Hall Professor in Human Neuroimaging]( "Professor Stephen Hall")
Professor Stephen Hall
Professor in Human Neuroimaging
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![Dr Giorgio Ganis Associate Professor (Reader) in Cognitive Neuroscience]( "Dr Giorgio Ganis")
Dr Giorgio Ganis
Associate Professor (Reader) in Cognitive Neuroscience
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![Dr Julie Ji Lecturer in Psychology]( "Dr Julie Ji")
Dr Julie Ji
Lecturer in Psychology
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![Dr Nerissa Ho Lecturer in Psychology]( "Dr Nerissa Ho")
Dr Nerissa Ho
Lecturer in Psychology
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![Dr Suraya Dunsford Postdoctoral Research Fellow]( "Dr Suraya Dunsford")
Dr Suraya Dunsford
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
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![Dr Sophie Clarke Post Doctoral Research Fellow]( "Dr Sophie Clarke")
Dr Sophie Clarke
Post Doctoral Research Fellow
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![Dr Dylan Curtin Postdoctoral Research Fellow]( "Dr Dylan Curtin")
Dr Dylan Curtin
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
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![Dr Elena Brunet Post Doctoral Research Fellow]( "Dr Elena Brunet")
Dr Elena Brunet
Post Doctoral Research Fellow
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![Miss Bethan Barrett Research Assistant]( "Miss Bethan Barrett")
Miss Bethan Barrett
Research Assistant
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![Nomiki Koutsoumpari Teaching and Research Associate (TARA)]( "Nomiki Koutsoumpari")
Nomiki Koutsoumpari
Teaching and Research Associate (TARA)
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![Miss Niamh Cameron]( "Miss Niamh Cameron")
Miss Niamh Cameron
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![Mr Samuel Mugglestone]( "Mr Samuel Mugglestone")
Mr Samuel Mugglestone
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![Miss Rimsha Mahrukh]( "Miss Rimsha Mahrukh")
Miss Rimsha Mahrukh
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![Miss Eleonora Carpino]( "Miss Eleonora Carpino")
Miss Eleonora Carpino
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![Mr Timothy Palmer]( "Mr Timothy Palmer")
Mr Timothy Palmer
In the news
£6.5m project aims to revolutionise mental health treatment using ultrasound
The University is working with NHS and industry partners to test a device using ultrasound to improve mood and reduce depression
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![Photograph of Dr Elsa Fouragnan with patient]()
Ultrasound can be used as search and rescue tool for the brain
Scientists highlight the potential for ultrasound to treat some of the more complex health conditions affecting the human brain
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![Ultrasound technology being used in the transcranial ultrasound stimulation lab at the Â鶹´«Ã½ Brain Research and Imaging Centre]()
Targeted ultrasound can change brain functions for up to an hour after intervention
Neuroscientists working in our Brain Research and Imaging Centre led a new study published in Nature Communications
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![MRI Image Of Head Showing Brain]()
Will depression treatment work for me? Research shows that brain activity may help predict success of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
The brain activity of patients with depression, captured by MRI scans, may help doctors predict who will respond to the therapy
- More related news
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'Brain implant that could boost mood by using ultrasound to go under NHS trial'
A groundbreaking NHS trial will attempt to boost patients' mood using a brain-computer-interface that directly alters brain activity using ultrasound.
'Researchers using ultrasound to treat OCD symptoms'
Scientists in Devon are trialling the use of ultrasound to stimulate areas of the brain which trigger obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms.
'Over the microscope': an interview with Dr Elsa Fouragnan
Dr Elsa Fouragnan explores the potential for ultrasound to create a significant shift in mental health treatments.
Related courses
Volunteer with CENTUS
Leading the UK's first TUS research studies
Developing new treatments and therapies needs volunteers to take part in trials for new and cutting-edge research. We are currently recruiting for:
Low mood motivational intervention study Alcohol Use Disorder research study Obsessive Compulsive Disorder research study
Together, we can help bring about an end to the suffering of thousands of people.
