Patrik Vuilleumier

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Photo de Patrik Vuilleumier

Professor

University Hospitals of Geneva — Neurology Service

Supervisor/PI: Patrik Vuilleumier

General Information


Our research concerns the cerebral mechanisms of cognition, perception, emotion, and consciousness. We use neuroimaging techniques such as functional resonance magnetic imaging (fMRI) and event-related potentials (ERPs) in healthy subjects, as well as neuropsychological studies in brain-damaged patients. Our work addresses several basic questions on how the human visual system can recognize visual objects and faces despite changes in their retinal image due to changes in viewpoint or movements of the eye and body. We have shown that different regions in temporal cortex can learn and maintain different memories for previously seen objects, and studied how sleep can consolidate memory traces after learning. We also investigate the role of emotions in the control of perception and behavior, for example how fear, anger, and reward can enhance attention to faces, voices, or other sensory stimulations. In particular, we have shown an important role for the amygdala in the detection of threat. More generally, a major goal of our research in perception and emotion is to understand how different brain areas interact with each other, and how lesions in particular brain regions can alter neural activity in other interconnected regions, in order to understand how to restore normal functions within damaged neural networks.

Note

Patrik Vuilleumier is a neurologist who is using brain imaging techniques (such as functional resonance magnetic imaging, fMRI) to study the cerebral mechanisms of emotion and awareness. After first training in neuropsychology in Geneva and Lausanne, he pursued his research in cognitive neurosciences at the University of California in Davis (1997-1999), and then at University College London (1999-2002). He is now is the Laboratory for Neurology and Imaging of Cognition at Geneva University Medical Center and Hospital. His current research investigates neural circuits in the human brain enabling emotion signals to influence perception and guide behavior, as well as the effect of brain lesions on emotion processes and consciousness.


Research field


Projects related to the NCCR in Affective Sciences focus the neural architecture of affective and social functions, including emotional face, body, and voice perception, in healthy and brain-damaged patients; moral emotions and motivation; as well as attentional and decisional biases in behaviour.

List of publications


2026

Scientific articles

Thesis supervisions

2025

Scientific articles

2024

Scientific articles

Thesis supervisions

2023

Scientific articles

Book chapters

  • Vuilleumier, P., Cataldo, E., & Ronchi, R. (2023). L’évaluation de l’anosognosie [Book Chapter]. In Amieva, H., Azouvi, P., Barbeau, E. & Collette, F. (Ed.), Traité de neuropsychologie clinique de l’adulte. Tome 1 : Evaluation (3ème éd., pp. 595–612). De Boeck Supérieur.

Thesis supervisions

2022

Scientific articles

Book chapters

  • Domínguez-Borràs, J., & Vuilleumier, P. (2022). Amygdala function in emotion, cognition, and behavior [Book Chapter]. In Miceli G., Bartolomeo P. & Navarro V. (Ed.), The temporal lobe (pp. 359–380). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-823493-8.00015-8

Proceedings chapters

Thesis supervisions

2021

Scientific articles

Thesis supervisions

2020

Scientific articles

2019

Scientific articles

2018

Scientific articles

Proceedings chapters

Thesis supervisions

2017

Scientific articles

Thesis supervisions

2016

Scientific articles

Book chapters

  • Vuilleumier, P., & Aybek Rusca, S. (2016). Imaging studies of functional neurologic disorders [Book Chapter]. In Hallett, M., Stone, J. & Carson, A. (Ed.), Functional neurologic disorders (pp. 73–84). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-801772-2.00007-2
  • Piguet, C. M., Rey, G., & Vuilleumier, P. (2016). Processus cérébraux impliqués dans la régulation de l"humeur [Book Chapter]. In De l"humeur normale à la dépression en psychologie cognitive, neurosciences et psychiatrie. De l"humeur normale à la dépression en psychologie cognitive, neurosciences et psychiatrie. De Boeck Supérieur.

Thesis supervisions

2015

Scientific articles

Book chapters

  • Meaux, E., & Vuilleumier, P. (2015). Emotion Perception and Elicitation [Book Chapter]. In Toga, Arthur W. (Ed.), Brain Mapping: An Encyclopedic Reference (pp. 79–90). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-397025-1.00159-7

Proceedings chapters

Thesis supervisions

2014

Scientific articles

Newspaper articles

Book chapters

2013

Scientific articles

Edited books

Book chapters

  • Vuilleumier, P., & Saj, A. (2013). Hemineglect spatial [Book Chapter]. In Godefroy, Olivier (Ed.), The Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology of Stroke (pp. 126–157). Cambridge University Press.
  • Vuilleumier, P., Vocat, R., & Saj, A. (2013). Denial of Illness [Book Chapter]. In Ferro, José M. (Ed.), Neuropsychiatric symptoms of cerebrovascular diseases (pp. 189–215). Springer London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2428-3_9
  • Trost, J. W., & Vuilleumier, P. (2013). Rhythmic entrainment as a mechanism for emotion induction by music: a neurophysiological perspective [Book Chapter]. In Cochrane, T; Fantini, B; Scherer, K R (Ed.), The Emotional Power of Music: Multidisciplinary perspectives on musical arousal, expression, and social control (pp. 213–225). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199654888.003.0016
  • Dominguez Borras, J., & Vuilleumier, P. (2013). Affective biases in attention and perception [Book Chapter]. In Armony, JL & Vuilleumier P (Ed.), Cambridge handbook of human affective neuroscience (pp. 331–356). Cambridge University Press.

Thesis supervisions

2012

Scientific articles

Thesis supervisions

2011

Scientific articles

2010

Scientific articles

Thesis supervisions

2009

Scientific articles

Newspaper articles

Thesis supervisions

2008

Scientific articles

2007

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2006

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2005

Scientific articles

2004

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2003

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2001

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2000

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1999

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1998

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1997

Scientific articles

1996

Scientific articles