Antonio Ferragud, PhD

Toni Ferragud formerly held a position as a research associate within the Department of Psychology at both the University of Cambridge and Boston University. His research focuses on the neural and cognitive bases of learning, memory, motivation, and reward, with a particular emphasis on their connections to drug addiction and other compulsive actions. A significant area of his research explores how learning influences the onset and continuation of drug addiction.

At present, Toni serves as lecturer in institutions including The Open University, Birkbeck University of London, Anglia Ruskin University and University of Cambridge.

• BSc in Psychology, Universitat de València, Spain
• PhD in Neuroscience, Universitat de València, Spain
• PGDip in Clinical Neuropsychology, Institute of Higher Psychological Studies (ISEP), Spain

• 2022-to date: Lecturer, Xenophon College London, 
• 2022-to date Associate Lecturer, Birkbeck University London
• 2022-to date Associate Lecturer, Anglia Ruskin University
• 2022-to date Associate Lecturer, The Open University
• 2017-2021: Research Associate, University of Cambridge
• 2013-2017: Postdoctoral Fellow, Boston University
• 2012-2013: Associate Lecturer, University CEU San Pablo

• A Ferragud, C Velazquez-Sanchez, MA Minnig, V Sabino, P Cottone Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) modulates dependence-induced alcohol drinking and anxiety-like behavior in male rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 46 (3), 509-518 (2021)
• V Sabino, MA Minnig, A Blasio, A Ferragud, AC DiLeo, P Cottone (2021) Role of prefronto-striatal PACAP system in excessive drinking. Alcoholism-Clinical and Experimental Research 45, 32A-32A 
• Aguilar, M. A., Cannella, N., Ferragud, A., & Spanagel, R. (2021). Neurobehavioural mechanisms of resilience and vulnerability in addictive disorders. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 14, 644495. 
• Ferragud, A., Velázquez-Sánchez, C., Abdullatif, A. A., Sabino, V., & Cottone, P. (2020). Withdrawal from extended, intermittent access to a highly palatable diet impairs hippocampal memory function and neurogenesis: effects of memantine. Nutrients, 12(5), 1520.
• Guirado, R., Perez-Rando, M., Ferragud, A., Gutierrez-Castellanos, N., Umemori, J., Carceller, H., ... & Castillo-Gómez, E. (2020). A critical period for prefrontal network configurations underlying psychiatric disorders and addiction. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 14, 51.
• Kuijer, E. J., Ferragud, A., & Milton, A. L. (2020). Retrieval-extinction and relapse prevention: rewriting maladaptive drug memories?. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 14, 23.
• Scott, L. L., Sahn, J. J., Ferragud, A., Yen, R. C., Satarasinghe, P. N., Wood, M. D., ... & Martin, S. F. (2018). Small molecule modulators of σ2R/Tmem97 reduce alcohol withdrawal-induced behaviors. Neuropsychopharmacology, 43(9), 1867-1875.
• Apicco, D. J., Ash, P. E., Maziuk, B., LeBlang, C., Medalla, M., Al Abdullatif, A., ... & Wolozin, B. (2018). Reducing the RNA binding protein TIA1 protects against tau-mediated neurodegeneration in vivo. Nature neuroscience, 21(1), 72-80.
• Ferragud, A., Howell, A. D., Moore, C. F., Ta, T. L., Hoener, M. C., Sabino, V., & Cottone, P. (2017). The trace amine-associated receptor 1 agonist RO5256390 blocks compulsive, binge-like eating in rats. Neuropsychopharmacology, 42(7), 1458-1470.

I am interested on the neural and cognitive bases of learning, memory, motivation, and reward, with a particular emphasis on their connections to drug addiction and other compulsive actions. My research explores how learning influences the onset and continuation of drug addiction. 

My research also focuses on exploring the mechanisms through which memories are altered, adjusted, and sustained over time.  It's recognized that memories undergo a 'reconsolidation' phase, where they are updated and fortified after being destabilized during retrieval. My research centers on the neurobiological foundations of this reconsolidation, especially in the context of neuropsychiatric disorders.

• Research Methods
• Psychological Enquiry
• Forensic Psychology
• Applied Social Psychology