Phil Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel
@philjrdb.bsky.social
Behavioural neuroscientist / Experimental psychologist @ School of Psych, UNSW Sydney
Finally heading home after almost 3 weeks in Netherlands. Mind is saturated after EBPS workshop on punishment
+ Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience conference
+ visits to Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience; Donders Institute; Radboud University; Vries University
+ Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience conference
+ visits to Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience; Donders Institute; Radboud University; Vries University
September 11, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Finally heading home after almost 3 weeks in Netherlands. Mind is saturated after EBPS workshop on punishment
+ Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience conference
+ visits to Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience; Donders Institute; Radboud University; Vries University
+ Monitoring Molecules in Neuroscience conference
+ visits to Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience; Donders Institute; Radboud University; Vries University
Floored by the news that I got a Future Fellowship to dig into brain mechanisms behind why individuals differ so much in avoiding bad choices
The project builds on prelim snRNAseq and whole-brain cFos data in mice. PhD/postdoc openings to work on this coming soon.
The project builds on prelim snRNAseq and whole-brain cFos data in mice. PhD/postdoc openings to work on this coming soon.
September 8, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Floored by the news that I got a Future Fellowship to dig into brain mechanisms behind why individuals differ so much in avoiding bad choices
The project builds on prelim snRNAseq and whole-brain cFos data in mice. PhD/postdoc openings to work on this coming soon.
The project builds on prelim snRNAseq and whole-brain cFos data in mice. PhD/postdoc openings to work on this coming soon.
Final chance to submit an abstract for this year's EBPS workshop on punishment in Amsterdam (Aug 25-26)! ebps2026.azuleon.org
June 12, 2026 at 3:57 AM
Final chance to submit an abstract for this year's EBPS workshop on punishment in Amsterdam (Aug 25-26)! ebps2026.azuleon.org
5 tenure-track positions up for grabs at UNSW Sydney School of Psych:
General x2
shorturl.at/0lptm
Perception
shorturl.at/l5Agk
Stats
shorturl.at/4W5pg
Education-focused
shorturl.at/Yn4R6
General x2
shorturl.at/0lptm
Perception
shorturl.at/l5Agk
Stats
shorturl.at/4W5pg
Education-focused
shorturl.at/Yn4R6
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/ Associate Professor - Psychology
A Lecturer (Level B) / Senior Lecturer (Level C) is expected to carry out activities to develop their scholarly research and professional activities both nationally and internationally and to contribu...
external-careers.jobs.unsw.edu.au
June 9, 2026 at 6:16 AM
5 tenure-track positions up for grabs at UNSW Sydney School of Psych:
General x2
shorturl.at/0lptm
Perception
shorturl.at/l5Agk
Stats
shorturl.at/4W5pg
Education-focused
shorturl.at/Yn4R6
General x2
shorturl.at/0lptm
Perception
shorturl.at/l5Agk
Stats
shorturl.at/4W5pg
Education-focused
shorturl.at/Yn4R6
Recent paper from lab looking at how phenotypic differences in punishment avoidance relate to cFos patterns across the PFC. doi.org/10.1016/j.nl...
Replicates previous behavioural work, with additional aversion-resistant phenotype.
Interesting network-level findings from analyses led by Min Lou
Replicates previous behavioural work, with additional aversion-resistant phenotype.
Interesting network-level findings from analyses led by Min Lou
Redirecting
doi.org
June 9, 2026 at 6:09 AM
Recent paper from lab looking at how phenotypic differences in punishment avoidance relate to cFos patterns across the PFC. doi.org/10.1016/j.nl...
Replicates previous behavioural work, with additional aversion-resistant phenotype.
Interesting network-level findings from analyses led by Min Lou
Replicates previous behavioural work, with additional aversion-resistant phenotype.
Interesting network-level findings from analyses led by Min Lou
Reposted by Phil Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel
New article out in @natcomms.nature.com
Reference-point dependent reinforcement learning in humans and rats
By Lachlan Ferguson, Magda Soukupova (co-first), Seb Bouret, me and Shauna Parkes.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reference-point dependent reinforcement learning in humans and rats
By Lachlan Ferguson, Magda Soukupova (co-first), Seb Bouret, me and Shauna Parkes.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
June 5, 2026 at 5:23 AM
New article out in @natcomms.nature.com
Reference-point dependent reinforcement learning in humans and rats
By Lachlan Ferguson, Magda Soukupova (co-first), Seb Bouret, me and Shauna Parkes.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reference-point dependent reinforcement learning in humans and rats
By Lachlan Ferguson, Magda Soukupova (co-first), Seb Bouret, me and Shauna Parkes.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Phil Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel
My PhD work on how lateral septum cells and circuits process threat cues to guide defensive actions is now online at @nature.com
rdcu.be/fjNgT
w/ @gordfishell.bsky.social and others
rdcu.be/fjNgT
w/ @gordfishell.bsky.social and others
Feature-specific threat coding in lateral septum guides defensive action - Nature
The populations of CRHR2-expressing neurons in the lateral septum of mice involved in threat-related behaviour in response to environmental challenges are defined.
www.nature.com
June 1, 2026 at 12:17 PM
My PhD work on how lateral septum cells and circuits process threat cues to guide defensive actions is now online at @nature.com
rdcu.be/fjNgT
w/ @gordfishell.bsky.social and others
rdcu.be/fjNgT
w/ @gordfishell.bsky.social and others
Reposted by Phil Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel
Excited to share our new paper:
We uncover a locus coeruleus→amygdala circuit linking β-adrenergic signaling to transcription regulation in defined amygdala cells during memory reconsolidation—+ stress or elevated noradrenergic signaling at recall can strengthen memory.
www.cell.com/neuron/abstr...
We uncover a locus coeruleus→amygdala circuit linking β-adrenergic signaling to transcription regulation in defined amygdala cells during memory reconsolidation—+ stress or elevated noradrenergic signaling at recall can strengthen memory.
www.cell.com/neuron/abstr...
A neuromodulatory circuit-to-molecular pathway for reformatting aversive memories during recall
Tan et al. identify a neuromodulatory circuit-to-molecular pathway in rats that updates
aversive memories when they are recalled. Noradrenaline from the locus coeruleus triggers
synapse-to-nuclear tra...
www.cell.com
March 3, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Excited to share our new paper:
We uncover a locus coeruleus→amygdala circuit linking β-adrenergic signaling to transcription regulation in defined amygdala cells during memory reconsolidation—+ stress or elevated noradrenergic signaling at recall can strengthen memory.
www.cell.com/neuron/abstr...
We uncover a locus coeruleus→amygdala circuit linking β-adrenergic signaling to transcription regulation in defined amygdala cells during memory reconsolidation—+ stress or elevated noradrenergic signaling at recall can strengthen memory.
www.cell.com/neuron/abstr...
Reposted by Phil Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel
Check out our latest paper on choice between alcohol and social reward in rats
New in #JNeurosci: Rat study from van Mourik et al. suggests that the anterior insula may be involved in biasing decision-making processes to favor alcohol over social rewards. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1180-25.2026
March 3, 2026 at 9:01 AM
Check out our latest paper on choice between alcohol and social reward in rats
Reposted by Phil Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel
Striatal cholinergic interneurons boost dopamine release upon receiving a reward obtained after prolonged effort 🤩
This presynaptic boost would confer increased value on rewards obtained through effort, thus explaining the continuation of this effort to obtain more
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This presynaptic boost would confer increased value on rewards obtained through effort, thus explaining the continuation of this effort to obtain more
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
February 19, 2026 at 9:27 AM
Striatal cholinergic interneurons boost dopamine release upon receiving a reward obtained after prolonged effort 🤩
This presynaptic boost would confer increased value on rewards obtained through effort, thus explaining the continuation of this effort to obtain more
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
This presynaptic boost would confer increased value on rewards obtained through effort, thus explaining the continuation of this effort to obtain more
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
New paper from lab on how VTA dopamine neurons + GABA inhibition contribute to punishment learning.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Disinhibition of ventral tegmental area during initial punishment learning causes enduring punishment insensitivity - Neuropsychopharmacology
Neuropsychopharmacology - Disinhibition of ventral tegmental area during initial punishment learning causes enduring punishment insensitivity
www.nature.com
February 17, 2026 at 3:49 AM
New paper from lab on how VTA dopamine neurons + GABA inhibition contribute to punishment learning.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Phil Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel
Come join us in Cape Town, South Africa to talk with behavioral neuroscientists from around the world. Submit your abstracts and register today! Abstract submission closes 2/20/26.
ibnsconnect.org/meetings
ibnsconnect.org/meetings
February 16, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Come join us in Cape Town, South Africa to talk with behavioral neuroscientists from around the world. Submit your abstracts and register today! Abstract submission closes 2/20/26.
ibnsconnect.org/meetings
ibnsconnect.org/meetings
Reposted by Phil Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel
A major part of our future health & prosperity lies in medical research. There are billions of available dollars that can be used for vital medical science. Please join the campaign for our government to act urgently to fully disperse these funds: aamri.org.au/mrff/
www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
Most researchers miss out on innovation grants while medical fund sits on $25b
Nine in 10 Australian researchers had their “ideas grant” applications rejected last year, even as Australia’s medical investment fund sits on $5 billion more than it was designed to hold.
www.theage.com.au
January 3, 2026 at 10:22 PM
A major part of our future health & prosperity lies in medical research. There are billions of available dollars that can be used for vital medical science. Please join the campaign for our government to act urgently to fully disperse these funds: aamri.org.au/mrff/
www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
Reposted by Phil Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel
🎇 Excited to finally share JL Romero Sosa’s publication! Results are from single-cell imaging in different subregions of rat frontal cortex during ✨de novo learning. Spoiler: everything is not everywhere all at once www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Neural coding of choice and outcome are modulated by uncertainty in orbitofrontal but not secondary motor cortex - Nature Communications
Neural mechanisms underlying flexible learning and decision-making are not fully understood. Using single-cell calcium imaging, authors here found that neurons in orbitofrontal and secondary motor cortex exhibit complementary roles in reward learning, with neurons in the former exerting a sustained role in conditions of uncertainty.
www.nature.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:33 PM
🎇 Excited to finally share JL Romero Sosa’s publication! Results are from single-cell imaging in different subregions of rat frontal cortex during ✨de novo learning. Spoiler: everything is not everywhere all at once www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Phil Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel
Are you and your colleagues interested in creating a symposium for our IBNS conference in South Africa? Submissions are less than a month away and we would love to hear your work! Call for symposia deadline is October 28th and to submit go to www.ibnsconnect.org/meetings #IBNSSouthAfrica
October 6, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Are you and your colleagues interested in creating a symposium for our IBNS conference in South Africa? Submissions are less than a month away and we would love to hear your work! Call for symposia deadline is October 28th and to submit go to www.ibnsconnect.org/meetings #IBNSSouthAfrica
Reposted by Phil Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel
Benchmarks for Associative Learning Models: https://osf.io/qsgz8
October 1, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Benchmarks for Associative Learning Models: https://osf.io/qsgz8
Symposia / Satellite Proposals open for IBNS 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa! ibns.memberclicks.net/meetings
Annual Meeting
ibns.memberclicks.net
August 15, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Symposia / Satellite Proposals open for IBNS 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa! ibns.memberclicks.net/meetings
a little Behind-the-Paper from @lilithzeng.bsky.social and i
communities.springernature.com/posts/why-do...
communities.springernature.com/posts/why-do...
Why don’t some of us learn from punishment?
Individuals differ drastically in whether they will cease actions with negative consequences. Using a specially-designed task, we explore the psychological roots for these differences, its stability a...
communities.springernature.com
July 22, 2025 at 4:11 AM
a little Behind-the-Paper from @lilithzeng.bsky.social and i
communities.springernature.com/posts/why-do...
communities.springernature.com/posts/why-do...
Stoked to share our new paper examining why people differ so much in avoiding harm www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Causal inference and cognitive-behavioral integration deficits drive stable variation in human punishment sensitivity - Communications Psychology
Using a gamified punishment task, this study identifies specific learning and decision-making deficits that drive robust, consequential differences in choice within an international, general populatio...
www.nature.com
July 9, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Stoked to share our new paper examining why people differ so much in avoiding harm www.nature.com/articles/s44...
Reposted by Phil Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel
We created a photometry python package for unbiased standardised post-hoc analysis using bootstrapping confidence intervals
No more AUC or time bins analysis! Ever
Follow our simple step by step instructions.
@foldi.bsky.social @philjrdb.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
No more AUC or time bins analysis! Ever
Follow our simple step by step instructions.
@foldi.bsky.social @philjrdb.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
www.biorxiv.org
June 19, 2025 at 5:29 AM
We created a photometry python package for unbiased standardised post-hoc analysis using bootstrapping confidence intervals
No more AUC or time bins analysis! Ever
Follow our simple step by step instructions.
@foldi.bsky.social @philjrdb.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
No more AUC or time bins analysis! Ever
Follow our simple step by step instructions.
@foldi.bsky.social @philjrdb.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
We have outlined issues with typical pre-processing steps for fibre photometry analysis. doi.org/10.1117/1.NP...
Main: standard linear fitting of isosbestic to experimental signals = BAD!
IRLS is conceptually+demonstrably better.
Lots discussed in paper. Code posted at github.com/philjrdb/Reg...
Main: standard linear fitting of isosbestic to experimental signals = BAD!
IRLS is conceptually+demonstrably better.
Lots discussed in paper. Code posted at github.com/philjrdb/Reg...
www.spiedigitallibrary.org
June 23, 2025 at 7:10 PM
We have outlined issues with typical pre-processing steps for fibre photometry analysis. doi.org/10.1117/1.NP...
Main: standard linear fitting of isosbestic to experimental signals = BAD!
IRLS is conceptually+demonstrably better.
Lots discussed in paper. Code posted at github.com/philjrdb/Reg...
Main: standard linear fitting of isosbestic to experimental signals = BAD!
IRLS is conceptually+demonstrably better.
Lots discussed in paper. Code posted at github.com/philjrdb/Reg...
Have been away from social media, which has been nice. But figure I really should post some updates about what the lab has been up to.
Posts incoming.
Posts incoming.
June 23, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Have been away from social media, which has been nice. But figure I really should post some updates about what the lab has been up to.
Posts incoming.
Posts incoming.