Dr Vasileia Kotoula

My research focuses on fast-acting antidepressants and their effects on key brain processes. Specifically, with the use of fMRI and sleep EEG, I aim to understand:

1. The effects of ketamine on autobiographical memory recall
2. How reward processing and anhedonia are targeted by fast-acting antidepressants
3. The role of sleep in mediating ketamine's antidepressant response.

My key research interests also include decision making mechanisms in relation to neurodevelopmental disorders. I am involved in the design and development of the online research platform www.experiama.com which aims to make data collection simple, reliable and ease for researchers and volunteers. I am the Deputy Senior Tutor for the BSc Psychology and Neuroscience.

Please see my Research Staff Profile for more detail.

Find out more about my research:

• Experiama

Key Publications:

• Kotoula et al., 2022. Ketamine modulates the neural correlates of reward processing in unmedicated patients in remission from depression. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging.
• Kotoula et al., 2023. The use of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in clinical trials and experimental research studies for depression. Frontiers in Neuroimaging.
• Burrows et al., 2023. Ketamine-induced changes in resting state connectivity, 2 h after the drug administration in patients with remitted depression. Journal of Psychopharmacology.
• Mantas et al., 2023. An experimental approach to training mood for resilience. Plos One.
• Mantas et al., 2023. Exploring Randomness in autism. Peer J

View all publications

Key Collaborators:

• Prof Mitul Mehta, King's College London, UK
• Dr Carlos Zarate, National Institute of Mental Health, USA
• Dr Argyrios Stringaris, University College London
• Dr Vasilios Mantas, Aiginition Hospital, Greece