Research groups
Colleges
Ioana Grigoras
MD MSc DPhil
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Investigating the neurophysiological mechanisms of motor learning
I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Physiological Neuroimaging Group, working with Professor Charlotte Stagg. My postdoctoral research uses multi-modal neuroimaging, TMS and transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) to explore the neurophysiological mechanisms of motor learning in healthy people and stroke survivors.
During my DPhil, I used behavioural tasks, neuroimaging and non-invasive brain stimulation to investigate how pharmacological modulation of GABA-mediated inhibition can influence motor learning and brain chemistry in healthy volunteers and stroke survivors.
Prior to my DPhil, I graduated with a medical degree (MD) from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Bucharest in Romania and then completed a M.Sc. in Neuroscience at the University of Oxford.
I am also a Lecturer in Medicine (Pharmacology) at St Hilda's College.
Key publications
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Ultrasound system for precise neuromodulation of human deep brain circuits
Journal article
Martin E. et al, (2025), Nature Communications, 16
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Baclofen, a GABAB receptor agonist, impairs motor learning in healthy people and changes inhibitory dynamics in motor areas
Journal article
Grigoras I-F. et al, (2025), Imaging Neuroscience
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Human motor cortical gamma activity relates to GABAergic intracortical inhibition and motor learning
Journal article
Zich C. et al, (2025), Imaging Neuroscience, 3
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Dual-site beta transcranial alternating current stimulation during a bimanual coordination task modulates functional connectivity between motor areas
Journal article
Gann MA. et al, (2025), Brain Stimulation, 18, 1566 - 1578
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Recent advances in the role of excitation–inhibition balance in motor recovery post-stroke
Journal article
Grigoras I-F. and Stagg CJ., (2021), Faculty Reviews, 10
Recent publications
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Baclofen, a GABAB receptor agonist, impairs motor learning in healthy people and changes inhibitory dynamics in motor areas
Journal article
Grigoras I-F. et al, (2025), Imaging Neuroscience
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Exploring the relationship between stroke lesion characteristics and sleep in chronic stroke survivors
Preprint
Guttesen AÁV. et al, (2025)
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Ultrasound system for precise neuromodulation of human deep brain circuits
Journal article
Martin E. et al, (2025), Nature Communications, 16
-
Dual-site beta transcranial alternating current stimulation during a bimanual coordination task modulates functional connectivity between motor areas
Journal article
Gann MA. et al, (2025), Brain Stimulation, 18, 1566 - 1578
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Human motor cortical gamma activity relates to GABAergic intracortical inhibition and motor learning
Journal article
Zich C. et al, (2025), Imaging Neuroscience, 3
Websites
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Our ultrasound device was highlighted in The Guardian
Read about our novel transcranial ultrasound stimulation device, as reported by the Guardian
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Advice for new students
Short video from the BrainBox Initiative with quick advice for new students