Personal information

Neuroscience, Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Functional imaging, Hedonic, Reward, Pain, Social
Norway

Biography

Siri Leknes is a Professor of Social and Affective Neuroscience at the University of Oslo, Norway, and Senior Researcher at Oslo University Hospital. She completed her D.Phil. at Oxford, UK, and postdoctoral research at Gothenburg University, Sweden.
The overarching aim of Leknes’ Affective Brain lab (LAB lab) is to understand how the brain and body give rise to pleasurable and painful feelings. LAB lab specialises in drug studies, charting how the brain’s neurochemical systems shape hedonic feelings, decisions and behaviour. Leknes is currently funded by an ERC grant to study state-dependent effects of opioids and their relation to social support, stress and dopamine. In addition, LAB lab conducts clinical research, studying mood, stress and pain in groups treated with opioid agonists and antagonists.
Leknes’ work on the benefits of acute pain was awarded The Daniel M. Wegner Theoretical Innovation Prize in Social/Personality Psychology. Leknes has served as associate editor for Social Cognitive Affective Neuroscience and is now associate editor for Pain. She is also the President of the Society for Social Neuroscience.

Activities

Employment (4)

University of Oslo: Oslo, Oslo, NO

2016-08-01 to present | Professor of Social and Affective Neuroscience (Psychology)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes

Oslo Universitetssykehus: Oslo, NO

2014-05-18 to 2016-07-30 | Research Fellow (The Intervention Centre)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes

University of Oslo: Oslo, NO

2010-01-01 to 2014-05-17 | Research Fellow (Psychology)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes

Gothenburg University/University of Oslo: Gothenburg/Oslo, SE

2008-04-01 to 2009-12-31 | Postdoc (Physiology and Neuroscience/Psychology)
Employment
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes

Education and qualifications (2)

University of Oxford: Oxford, Oxfordshire, GB

2004-10-01 to 2008-06-30 | D.Phil (Clinical Neurology (FMRIB Centre))
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes

University of Oxford: Oxford, GB

2003-10-01 to 2004-10-01 | MSc (Experimental Psychology)
Education
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes

Funding (1)

Formidling av funn og verktøy fra OPIOIDREWARD

2022-01-01 to 2024-12-31 | Grant
The Research Council of Norway (Oslo, NO)
GRANT_NUMBER: 333178
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via DimensionsWizard

Works (41)

Reward Sensitivity in Patients Receiving Opioid Agonist and Antagonist Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: An Observational Study

2025-01-28 | Preprint
Contributors: Martin Trøstheim; Mads Lund Pedersen; Siri Leknes; Lennja Majid Hama; Mathias Nikolai Roland; Philipp Paul Lobmaier; Kristin Klemmetsby Solli; Bente M. Weimand; Lars Tanum; Marie Eikemo
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Endogenous mu-opioid modulation of social connection in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Translational Psychiatry
2024-09-17 | Journal article
Contributors: Guro Løseth; Martin Trøstheim; Siri Leknes
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Justify your disability! A simulated medical evaluation as a robust novel stress induction paradigm in chronic pain patients

2024-07-05 | Preprint
Contributors: Aimie Chiron; Aurore Fernandez; Léa Schmidt; Sonia Plaza-Wüthrich; Marc R. Suter; Siri Leknes; Chantal Berna
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Understanding individual variability in opioid responses: A call to arms

Addiction Biology
2024-06 | Journal article
Contributors: Siri Leknes; Marie Eikemo; Guro Løseth
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Impact of childhood adversity on acute subjective effects of stimulant and opioid drugs: Evidence from placebo-controlled studies in healthy volunteers

2023-11-01 | Preprint
Contributors: Molly Carlyle; Harriet de Wit; Siri Leknes
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Endogenous Mu-Opioid Modulation of Social Connection in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2023-10-18 | Preprint
Contributors: Guro Engvig Løseth; Martin Trøstheim; Siri Leknes
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Opioid analgesic effects on subjective well‐being in the operating theatre*

Anaesthesia
2023-09 | Journal article
Contributors: M. Eikemo; I. M. Meier; G. E. Løseth; M. Trøstheim; N. Ørstavik; E. N. Jensen; E. L. Garland; C. Berna; G. Ernst; S. Leknes
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Supraphysiological testosterone levels from anabolic steroid use and reduced sensitivity to negative facial expressions in men

2023-06-16 | Preprint
Contributors: Morgan Scarth; Lisa Evju Hauger; Per Medbøe Thorsby; Siri Leknes; Inngunn R. Hullstein; Lars T. Westlye; Astrid Bjørnebekk
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Opioid antagonism in humans: a primer on optimal dose and timing for central mu-opioid receptor blockade

Neuropsychopharmacology
2023-01 | Journal article
Contributors: Martin Trøstheim; Marie Eikemo; Jan Haaker; J. James Frost; Siri Leknes
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Factors associated with use of opioid rescue medication after surgery

2022-09-13 | Preprint
Contributors: Isabell M. Meier; Marie Eikemo; Martin Trøstheim; Kaja Buen; Eira Nordeng Jensen; Siri Gurandsrud Karlsen; Sile Endresen Reme; Chantal Berna; Siri Leknes; Gernot Ernst
Source: check_circle
Crossref
grade
Preferred source (of 3)‎

Do opioid analgesics improve subjective well-being? A prospective observational study of acute opioid effects before surgery

2022-08-08 | Preprint
Contributors: Marie Eikemo; Isabell M. Meier; Guro Engvig Løseth; Martin Trøstheim; Nikoline Ørstavik; Eira Nordeng Jensen; Eric Garland; Chantal Berna; Gernot Ernst; Siri Leknes
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Meaning makes touch affective

Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences
2022-04 | Journal article
Contributors: Uta Sailer; Siri Leknes
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Stress recovery with social support: A dyadic stress and support task

2022-04-22 | Preprint
Contributors: Guro Engvig Løseth; Marie Eikemo; Martin Trøstheim; Isabell M. Meier; Herman Bjørnstad; Anna Asratian; Claudia Pazmandi; Vegard Wathne Tangen; Markus Heilig; Siri Leknes
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Do endogenous opioids mediate or fine-tune human pain relief?

2021-06-29 | Preprint
Contributors: Marie Eikemo; Guro Engvig Løseth; Siri Leknes
Source: check_circle
Crossref

The role of mu-opioids for reward and threat processing in humans: Bridging the gap from preclinical to clinical opioid drug studies

2021-03-26 | Preprint
Contributors: Isabell M. Meier; Marie Eikemo; Siri Leknes
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Anhedonia in chronic pain and prescription opioid misuse

2019-02-20 | Preprint
Contributors: Eric Garland; Martin Trøstheim; Marie Eikemo; Gernot Ernst; Siri Leknes
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Effects of opioid receptor stimulation and blockade on touch pleasantness: a double-blind randomised trial

2018-12-05 | Preprint
Contributors: Guro Engvig Løseth; Marie Eikemo; Siri Leknes
Source: check_circle
Crossref

Intact responses to non-drug rewards in long-term opioid maintenance treatment

2018-11-18 | Preprint
Contributors: Marie Eikemo; Philipp Paul Lobmaier; Mads Lund Pedersen; Nikolaj Kunøe; Anna Maria Matziorinis; Siri Leknes; Monica Sarfi
Source: check_circle
Crossref

The role of the opioid system in decision making and cognitive control: A review

2018-06-06 | Other
Contributors: Henk van Steenbergen; Marie Eikemo; Siri Leknes
Source: check_circle
Crossref

How does pain affect eating and food pleasure?

2014 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1016/j.pain.2014.01.001

EID:

2-s2.0-84896401631

Contributors: Leknes, S.; Bastian, B.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

In touch with your emotions: Oxytocin and touch change social impressions while others' facial expressions can alter touch

2014 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.09.017

EID:

2-s2.0-84888060886

Contributors: Ellingsen, D.-M.; Wessberg, J.; Chelnokova, O.; Olausson, H.; Laeng, B.; Leknes, S.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

Rewards of beauty: the opioid system mediates social motivation in humans

2014 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1038/mp.2014.149

EID:

2-s2.0-84907190018

Contributors: Chelnokova, O.; Laeng, B.; Eikemo, M.; Riegels, J.; Løseth, G.; Maurud, H.; Willoch, F.; Leknes, S.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier
grade
Preferred source (of 3)‎

State-dependent μ-opioid modulation of social motivation

2014 | Journal article
DOI:

10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00430

EID:

2-s2.0-84917692562

Contributors: Loseth, G.E.; Ellingsen, D.-M.; Leknes, S.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

The Benefits of Pain

2014 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1007/s13164-014-0178-3

EID:

2-s2.0-84897931551

Contributors: Leknes, S.; Bastian, B.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

The Positive Consequences of Pain: A Biopsychosocial Approach

2014 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1177/1088868314527831

EID:

2-s2.0-84911981253

Contributors: Bastian, B.; Jetten, J.; Hornsey, M.J.; Leknes, S.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

A single dose of antidepressant alters eye-gaze patterns across face stimuli in healthy women.

2014-09 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1007/s00213-014-3729-5

PMID:

25194951

Contributors: Jonassen R; Chelnokova O; Harmer C; Leknes S; Landrø NI
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Europe PubMed Central

Hippocampus and Entorhinal Complex: Functional Imaging

Encyclopedia of Pain
2013 | Other
DOI:

10.1007/978-3-642-28753-4_1763

Contributors: Irene Tracey; Siri Graff Leknes
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Crossref Metadata Search

Oxytocin enhances pupil dilation and sensitivity to 'hidden' emotional expressions

2013 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1093/scan/nss062

EID:

2-s2.0-84885735216

Contributors: Leknes, S.; Wessberg, J.; Ellingsen, D.-M.; Chelnokova, O.; Olausson, H.; Laeng, B.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

Placebo gav lindrad smärta, men också ökad njutning

2013 | Journal article
EID:

2-s2.0-84889589873

Contributors: Ellingsen, D.-M.; Leknes, S.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

Placebo improves pleasure and pain through opposite modulation of sensory processing

2013 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1073/pnas.1305050110

EID:

2-s2.0-84887123602

Contributors: Ellingsen, D.-M.; Wessberg, J.; Eikemo, M.; Liljencrantz, J.; Endestad, T.; Olausson, H.; Leknes, S.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

Response to the commentary "multiple potential mechanisms for context effects on pain"

2013 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1016/j.pain.2013.04.002

EID:

2-s2.0-84879788797

Contributors: Leknes, S.; Berna, C.; Lee, M.C.; Snyder, G.D.; Biele, G.; Tracey, I.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

The importance of context: When relative relief renders pain pleasant

2013 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1016/j.pain.2012.11.018

EID:

2-s2.0-84874521923

Contributors: Leknes, S.; Berna, C.; Lee, M.C.; Snyder, G.D.; Biele, G.; Tracey, I.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

Baseline reward circuitry activity and trait reward responsiveness predict expression of opioid analgesia in healthy subjects

2012 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1073/pnas.1120201109

EID:

2-s2.0-84867909502

Contributors: Wanigasekera, V.; Lee, M.C.; Rogers, R.; Kong, Y.; Leknes, S.; Andersson, J.; Tracey, I.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

Relief as a reward: Hedonic and neural responses to safety from pain

2011 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1371/journal.pone.0017870

EID:

2-s2.0-79954512437

Contributors: Leknes, S.; Lee, M.; Berna, C.; Andersson, J.; Tracey, I.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

The pain modulatory cocktail

2011 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1016/j.sjpain.2011.05.007

EID:

2-s2.0-79960019100

Contributors: Leknes, S.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

Induction of Depressed Mood Disrupts Emotion Regulation Neurocircuitry and Enhances Pain Unpleasantness

2010 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.01.014

EID:

2-s2.0-77951837642

Contributors: Berna, C.; Leknes, S.; Holmes, E.A.; Edwards, R.R.; Goodwin, G.M.; Tracey, I.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

Pain and pleasure: masters of mankind

Pleasures of the brain
2010 | Book chapter
Part of ISBN:

978-0-19-533102-8

Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes

A common neurobiology for pain and pleasure

2008 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1038/nrn2333

EID:

2-s2.0-41149113914

Contributors: Leknes, S.; Tracey, I.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

Pain relief as an opponent process: A psychophysical investigation

2008 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06380.x

EID:

2-s2.0-49249111724

Contributors: Leknes, S.; Brooks, J.C.W.; Wiech, K.; Tracey, I.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

Hippocampus and Entorhinal Complex, Functional Imaging

Encyclopedia of Pain
2007 | Other
DOI:

10.1007/978-3-540-29805-2_1763

Contributors: Siri Leknes; Irene Tracey
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Crossref Metadata Search

Itch and motivation to scratch: An investigation of the central and peripheral correlates of allergen- and histamine-induced itch in humans

2007 | Journal article
DOI:

10.1152/jn.00070.2006

EID:

2-s2.0-33846466097

Contributors: Leknes, S.G.; Bantick, S.; Willis, C.M.; Wilkinson, J.D.; Wise, R.G.; Tracey, I.
Source: Self-asserted source
Siri Leknes via Scopus - Elsevier

Peer review (10 reviews for 6 publications/grants)

Review activity for eLife (1)
Review activity for Nature reviews psychology. (1)
Review activity for Neuropsychopharmacology. (4)
Review activity for Psychopharmacologia. (1)
Review activity for The journal of pain (2)
Review activity for Trends in cognitive sciences. (1)