Oxford News
Oxford scientists uncover how the brain resolves emotional ambiguity
Scientists at the University of Oxford have demonstrated, for the first time, that a key emotional centre deep in the human brain directly influences how we interpret ambiguous social cues.
In a new study, published in Neuron, researchers used low-intensity focused ultrasound to temporarily and non-invasively alter activity in the amygdala – a region known to be involved in emotion and affected in depression. They found that this changed how people responded to facial expressions, particularly when those expressions were emotionally unclear.
The findings provide rare causal evidence in humans about how the brain processes uncertainty in emotional situations, with potential implications for understanding mental health conditions.
Miriam Klein-Flügge, Associate Professor and Wellcome Henry Dale and ERC-UKRI Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging (OxCIN), said: ‘It has not been previously possible to change activity in deep areas of the human brain without requiring surgery. Oxford has been a key player in establishing a new, non-invasive neurostimulation technique called transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS), over many years, and this is the first study that applies this stimulation to the human amygdala – one of the key centres for emotion processing – while also measuring very precise neuroimaging signals to assess how we have changed the brain.’
What the study found
When the amygdala was temporarily modulated, participants became more likely to approach neutral (emotionally ambiguous) faces, suggesting they interpreted them more positively.
Participants also took longer to respond to neutral and happy faces, indicating increased difficulty distinguishing between similar emotional signals.
Brain imaging showed that stimulation reduced communication between the amygdala and other brain regions and altered its internal chemical balance.
Importantly, the effects were specific: learning from feedback was unchanged, and stimulating a different brain region produced different behavioural effects.
How the research was done
The team used a cutting-edge technique called transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (TUS), which allows scientists to safely and precisely influence activity in deep brain regions without surgery.
Healthy volunteers received brief ultrasound stimulation targeting the amygdala before completing a behavioural task involving emotional facial expressions and decision-making. High-resolution brain scans were used to confirm that the stimulation had the intended biological effects.
The researchers measured these changes in multiple ways: they showed changes in important brain metabolites (GABA), and in the region’s functional connectivity, which indicates how it speaks to other parts of the brain. But they also showed changes in how people perceive ambiguous emotional expressions in faces.
Professor Klein-Flügge added: ‘This is a paper that we believe will shift and propel the field – the amygdala is a core region changed in mood disorders, including depression and anxiety, and while we applied ultrasound in healthy participants in this first study, an obvious next step is to see if abnormal amygdala metabolism can be restored in patients. There are still very few places worldwide that can do this type of research.
‘By showing that we can safely and precisely influence deep brain regions, this opens up exciting possibilities for future research and, potentially, new treatments. The next step is to see how these mechanisms operate in people with mood disorders.’
The researchers hope to apply this approach in clinical populations to better understand and potentially treat conditions such as depression, where emotional interpretation is often altered.
The paper, ‘Low-intensity focused ultrasound to human amygdala reveals a causal role in ambiguous emotion processing and alters local and network activity’, is published in Neuron.
It was recently announced that The Oxford Union (OU) will host far-right activist Tommy Robinson for a debate on Islam
This will take place on Wednesday (June 17), despite outcry from faith leaders, local politicians and campaign groups.
The student debate society has advertised a debate on social media titled The West Is Right To Be Suspicious Of Islam.
READ MORE: Police arrest man outside Oxfordshire theatre and charged
Speakers include Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, alongside fellow far-right voice Laurence Fox, opposed by others including former Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Now, Councillor Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, has issued a statement, revealing there will be a police presence in the city.
“I am deeply concerned by The Oxford Union’s decision to host Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, at its debate on Wednesday,” she said.
“Oxford is a proudly diverse, multicultural city. Whilst we are committed to free speech and open debate, that must be balanced against ensuring all our residents can live free from hatred, intimidation and harm.
“Faith leaders and members of our communities have already voiced their strong opposition to this invitation, and I stand with them.
READ MORE: Man fighting for life after helicopter called and arrest made
“I urge the Oxford Union to reflect seriously on the consequences of its choices – not only for its own reputation, but the message this event sends about Oxford and its values.
“A large-scale security operation is being prepared, involving extensive police resources and road closures.
“This will cause considerable disruption for local residents and businesses, and comes at a substantial cost.
“The Oxford Union must meet the full costs of staging their event, rather than leaving Oxford’s taxpayers to pick up the bill.”
The incident took place on Tuesday (June 9) in the car park of The Beacon in Wantage.
A 34-year-old man was arrested, charged, and remanded for possession with intent to supply, and his vehicle was seized.
This was after 32 wraps of Class A drugs and a “significant amount of cash” were found on him.
READ MORE: Houses evacuated as firefighters battle major blaze for over 12 hours
Thames Valley Police posted an update on their South Oxon and Vale of White Horse Facebook page this morning (Monday, June 15).
The statement said: “On June 9, 2026, our team was out looking for a vehicle that had recently piqued our interest. We located it in the car park of The Beacon.
“Now, he might have been there to pick up tickets for the open mic night, Rory Bremner, or even Noasis (who are there next week and apparently very good), but it was far more likely he was there to deal.
READ MORE: Train lines CLOSED for 7 hours amid London emergency incident
“A search confirmed our suspicions: 32 wraps of Class A and a significant amount of cash were found on him.
“Thanks to previous chases, we blocked him in early and ensured he was safely detained.
“A 34‑year‑old male from outside the area was arrested, charged, and remanded for Possession With Intent to Supply. The vehicle was seized.”
The incident occurred at around 2pm yesterday (June 13), a white and blue BMW motorcycle and a grey Audi A3 were involved in a collision.
This was near the junction of B480 Watlington Road and Pettiwell, and Thames Valley Police officers attended the scene.
There was a large emergency response with the South-Central Ambulance Service and the “Helicopter Emergency Medical Service” also present.
READ MORE: Young child hit by car and man arrested in ‘harrowing’ incident
Police say that the rider of the motorcycle was a man in his 40s and that he sustained serious life-threatening injuries.
He remains in hospital receiving treatment at this current time, Thames Valley Police informs.
The driver of the grey Audi A3 has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving whilst over the specified limit for drugs.
From Wallingford, the 51-year-old man has been released under investigation whilst enquiries continue.
READ MORE: Public warning issued and police called after stranger enters property
Thames Valley Police is now appealing for witnesses following the serious road traffic collision in Garsington.
Investigating officer, PC Kerrie Ingham of the Roads Policing Unit said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the members of the public and the medical staff who stopped to assist.
“We are carrying out a thorough investigation into the circumstances of this collision, with a man being arrested at the scene shortly after police arrived, in attendance with paramedics from SCAS and HEMS.
“I would particularly like to hear from anyone who witnessed the grey Audi A3 driving northbound to the junction of B480 Watlington Road and Pettiwell prior to the collision.
READ MORE: Warning as major protest planned for Tommy Robinson’s visit to Oxford
“I would also like to hear from anyone who witnessed the white and blue BMW motorcycle driving southbound towards the junction of the B480 Watlington Road and Pettiwell prior to the collision.
“If you saw either of these vehicles prior to the collision, or have dash-cam footage at around the time of the incident, please come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Thames Valley Police by calling 101 or submitting a report via the website, quoting reference number 43260296300.
Alternatively, you can report this anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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