Yihong Yang, Ph.D.
Branch Chief
Contact
Location:
Biomedical Research Center
251 Bayview Blvd
Suite 200, Room 07A711A
Baltimore, MD 21224
Phone: 667-312-5364
Email: yihongyang@intra.nida.nih.gov
Branch Overview
The goal of the Neuroimaging Research Branch (NRB) is to better understand the neurobiological antecedents of illicit drug use and addiction, the neuronal consequences of short and long-term drug use and the potential reversibility of these neuroadaptations. The major paradigm employed towards this goal is the development and application of novel neuroimaging tools, predominantly MRI and PET based, applied together with behavioral, cognitive and pharmacological manipulations and genetic investigations in both preclinical and human based protocols. Advanced neuroimaging techniques and novel analysis strategies are developed and applied in an integrated translational approach to understand the causations of drug taking along with the acute and long term consequences of such use. Healthy, disease-free individuals and those with various substance use disorders are studied. Noninvasive neuromodulation techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, are developed in both human and preclinical models to treat substance abuse and help prevent vulnerable individuals from initiating drug use.
