Dissecting neuromodulatory control of brain functions and diseases

The hypothalamus is not only a higher-order regulatory center for peripheral organs and endocrine activity, but also plays an important role in regulating emotion. Many brain diseases and related peripheral organ dysfunctions are closely associated with imbalances in hypothalamic functional homeostasis. Neurons release multiple neuroactive molecules that act in concert to maintain the body’s physiological homeostasis. The hypothalamus is rich in diverse types of neuropeptidergic neurons (such as oxytocin and vasopressin neurons), forming a complex and precise regulatory system. Our laboratory is dedicated to dissecting the neuromodulatory roles and mechanisms of the hypothalamic neuropeptidergic system in brain diseases and associated peripheral organ dysfunctions. By comprehensively employing cutting-edge techniques including neural circuit tracing, ex vivo and in vivo neural activity recording, neuromodulation approaches, multi-omics analysis, and refined behavioral paradigms, we conduct research following three main directions: 1) the roles and mechanisms of hypothalamic neuropeptidergic neurons in regulating emotional and affective behaviors; 2) the hypothalamus–peripheral organ interaction network and its dysfunction in brain diseases; and 3) strategies and translational research for intervening in brain diseases and their associated peripheral organ dysfunctions based on brain-computer/brain-body interfaces. 

Neurobiology