Yihong Yang, Ph.D.

@article{pmid36469769b,

title = {Compulsive drug-taking is associated with habenula-frontal cortex connectivity},

author = {Ying Duan and Pei-Jung Tsai and Betty Jo Salmeron and Yuzheng Hu and Hong Gu and Hanbing Lu and Jean Lud Cadet and Elliot A Stein and Yihong Yang},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36469769/},

doi = {10.1073/pnas.2208867119},

issn = {1091-6490},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-12-01},

urldate = {2022-12-01},

journal = {Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A},

volume = {119},

number = {50},

pages = {e2208867119},

abstract = {As a critical node connecting the forebrain with the midbrain, the lateral habenula (LHb) processes negative feedback in response to aversive events and plays an essential role in value-based decision-making. Compulsive drug use, a hallmark of substance use disorder, is attributed to maladaptive decision-making regarding aversive drug-use-related events and has been associated with dysregulation of various frontal-midbrain circuits. To understand the contributions of frontal-habenula-midbrain circuits in the development of drug dependence, we employed a rat model of methamphetamine self-administration (SA) in the presence of concomitant footshock, which has been proposed to model compulsive drug-taking in humans. In this longitudinal study, functional MRI data were collected at pretraining baseline, after 20 d of long-access SA phase, and after 5 d of concomitant footshock coupled with SA (punishment phase). Individual differences in response to punishment were quantified by a "compulsivity index (CI)," defined as drug infusions at the end of punishment phase, normalized by those at the end of SA phase. Functional connectivity of LHb with the frontal cortices and substantia nigra (SN) after the punishment phase was positively correlated with the CI in rats that maintained drug SA despite receiving increasing-intensity footshock. In contrast, functional connectivity of the same circuits was negatively correlated with CI in rats that significantly reduced SA. These findings suggest that individual differences in compulsive drug-taking are reflected by alterations within frontal-LHb-SN circuits after experiencing the negative consequences from SA, suggesting these circuits may serve as unique biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for individualized treatment of addiction.},

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@article{pmid36064187,

title = {Disrupted Dynamic Interactions Between Large-Scale Brain Networks in Cocaine Users Are Associated With Dependence Severity},

author = {Tianye Zhai and Hong Gu and Betty Jo Salmeron and Elliot A Stein and Yihong Yang},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36064187/},

doi = {10.1016/j.bpsc.2022.08.010},

issn = {2451-9030},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-09-01},

urldate = {2022-09-01},

journal = {Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Substance use disorder is conceptualized as a neuropsychiatric disease with multifaceted phenotypic manifestations including disrupted interactions between brain networks. While the current understanding of brain network interactions is mostly based on static functional connectivity, accumulating evidence suggests that temporal dynamics of these network interactions may better reflect brain function and disease-related dysfunction. We thus investigated brain dynamics in cocaine use disorder and assessed their relationship with cocaine dependence severity.



METHODS: Using a time frame analytical approach on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data of 54 cocaine users and 54 age- and sex-matched healthy control participants, we identified temporally recurring brain network configuration patterns, termed brain states. With Menon's triple network model as a guide, we characterized these state dynamics by quantifying their occurrence rate and transition probability. Group differences in the state dynamics and their association with cocaine dependence were assessed.



RESULTS: Three recurrent brain states with spatial patterns resembling the default mode, salience, and executive control networks were identified. Compared with healthy control subjects, cocaine users showed a higher default mode state occurrence rate and higher probability of transitioning from the salience state to the default mode state, with the former being attributed to the latter. A composite state transition probability negatively correlated with cocaine dependence severity.



CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide novel evidence supporting the triple network model. While confirming hyperactivity of default mode network in cocaine users, our findings indicate the failure of salience network in toggling between default mode and executive control networks in cocaine use disorder.},

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}

@article{pmid35636708b,

title = {A high-density theta burst paradigm enhances the aftereffects of transcranial magnetic stimulation: Evidence from focal stimulation of rat motor cortex},

author = {Qinglei Meng and Hieu Nguyen and Antonia Vrana and Simone Baldwin and Charlotte Qiong Li and Antonia Giles and Jun Wang and Yihong Yang and Hanbing Lu},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36469769/},

doi = {10.1016/j.brs.2022.05.017},

issn = {1876-4754},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

urldate = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Brain Stimul},

volume = {15},

number = {3},

pages = {833--842},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Theta burst stimulation (TBS) is an efficient noninvasive neuromodulation paradigm that has been widely adopted, clinically. However, the efficacy of TBS treatment remains similarly modest as conventional 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).



OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: To develop a new TBS paradigm that enhances the effects of TMS administration while maintaining high time-efficiency.



METHODS: We describe here a new TMS paradigm, named High-Density Theta Burst Stimulation (hdTBS). This paradigm delivers up to 6 pulses per burst, as opposed to only 3 in conventional TBS, while maintaining the inter-burst interval of 200 ms (or 5 Hz) - a critical parameter in inducing long-term potentiation. This paradigm was implemented on a TMS stimulator developed in-house; its physiological effects were assessed in the motor cortex of awake rats using a rodent specific focal TMS coil. Microwire electrodes were implanted into each rat's limb muscles to longitudinally record motor-evoked potential (MEP). Four different TBS paradigms (3, 4, 5 or 6 pulses per burst, 200 s per session) were tested; MEP signals were recorded immediately before (baseline) and up to 35 min post each TBS session.



RESULTS: We developed a stimulator based on a printed-circuit board strategy. The stimulator was able to deliver stable outputs of up to 6 pulses per burst. Animal experiments (n = 15) revealed significantly different aftereffects induced by the four TBS paradigms (Friedman test, p = 0.018). Post hoc analysis further revealed that, in comparison to conventional 3-pulse TBS, 5- and 6-pulse TBS enhanced the aftereffects of MEP signals by 56% and 92%, respectively, while maintaining identical time efficiency.



CONCLUSION(S): A new stimulation paradigm is proposed, implemented and tested in the motor cortex of awake rats using a focal TMS coil developed in the lab. We observed enhanced aftereffects as assessed by MEP, with no obvious adverse effects, suggesting the translational potentials of this paradigm.},

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}

@article{Zhai:2021tn,

title = {Functional connectivity of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex predicts cocaine relapse: implications for neuromodulation treatment},

author = {Tianye Zhai and Betty Jo Salmeron and Hong Gu and Bryon Adinoff and Elliot A Stein and Yihong Yang},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34189458/},

doi = {10.1093/braincomms/fcab120},

isbn = {2632-1297},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-06-02},

journal = {Brain communications},

volume = {3},

number = {2},

pages = {fcab120--fcab120},

publisher = {Oxford University Press},

abstract = {Relapse is one of the most perplexing problems of addiction. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is crucially involved in numerous cognitive and affective processes that are implicated in the phenotypes of both substance use disorders and other neuropsychiatric diseases and has become the principal site to deliver transcranial magnetic stimulation for their treatment. However, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is an anatomically large and functionally heterogeneous region, and the specific dorsolateral prefrontal cortex locus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex-based functional circuits that contribute to drug relapse and/or treatment outcome remain unknown. We systematically investigated the relationship of cocaine relapse with functional circuits from 98 dorsolateral prefrontal cortex regions-of-interest defined by evenly sampling the entire surface of bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in a cohort of cocaine dependent patients (n = 43, 5 Fr) following a psychosocial treatment intervention. Cox regression models were utilized to predict relapse likelihood based on dorsolateral prefrontal cortex functional connectivity strength. Functional connectivity from only 3 of the 98 dorsolateral prefrontal cortex loci, one in the left and two in the right hemisphere, significantly predicted cocaine relapse with an accuracy of 83.9%, 84.6% and 85.4%, respectively. Combining all three loci significantly improved prediction validity to 87.5%. Protective and risk circuits related to these dorsolateral prefrontal cortex loci were identified that have previously been implicated to support 'bottom up' drive to use drug and 'top down' control over behaviour together with social emotional, learning and memory processing. Three dorsolateral prefrontal cortex-centric circuits were identified that predict relapse to cocaine use with high accuracy. These functionally distinct dorsolateral prefrontal cortex-based circuits provide insights into the multiple roles played by the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in cognitive and affective functioning that affects treatment outcome. The identified dorsolateral prefrontal cortex loci may serve as potential neuromodulation targets to be tested in subsequent clinical studies for addiction treatment and as clinically relevant biomarkers of its efficacy. Zhai et al. identify three dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC)-centric circuits that predict cocaine relapse with high accuracy, providing insights into the multiple roles of the dlPFC in brain functioning that affects treatment outcome and suggesting the dlPFC loci as potential neuromodulation targets for addiction treatment.},

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@article{pmid34675078b,

title = {Orbitofrontal cortex and dorsal striatum functional connectivity predicts incubation of opioid craving after voluntary abstinence},

author = {Ida Fredriksson and Pei-Jung Tsai and Aniruddha Shekara and Ying Duan and Sarah V Applebey and Hanbing Lu and Jennifer M Bossert and Yavin Shaham and Yihong Yang},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34675078/},

doi = {10.1073/pnas.2106624118},

issn = {1091-6490},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

urldate = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A},

volume = {118},

number = {43},

abstract = {We recently introduced a rat model of incubation of opioid craving after voluntary abstinence induced by negative consequences of drug seeking. Here, we used resting-state functional MRI to determine whether longitudinal functional connectivity changes in orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) circuits predict incubation of opioid craving after voluntary abstinence. We trained rats to self-administer for 14 d either intravenous oxycodone or palatable food. After 3 d, we introduced an electric barrier for 12 d that caused cessation of reward self-administration. We tested the rats for oxycodone or food seeking under extinction conditions immediately after self-administration training (early abstinence) and after electric barrier exposure (late abstinence). We imaged their brains before self-administration and during early and late abstinence. We analyzed changes in OFC functional connectivity induced by reward self-administration and electric barrier-induced abstinence. Oxycodone seeking was greater during late than early abstinence (incubation of oxycodone craving). Oxycodone self-administration experience increased OFC functional connectivity with dorsal striatum and related circuits that was positively correlated with incubated oxycodone seeking. In contrast, electric barrier-induced abstinence decreased OFC functional connectivity with dorsal striatum and related circuits that was negatively correlated with incubated oxycodone seeking. Food seeking was greater during early than late abstinence (abatement of food craving). Food self-administration experience and electric barrier-induced abstinence decreased or maintained functional connectivity in these circuits that were not correlated with abated food seeking. Opposing functional connectivity changes in OFC with dorsal striatum and related circuits induced by opioid self-administration versus voluntary abstinence predicted individual differences in incubation of opioid craving.},

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pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Tsai:kq,

title = {Converging structural and functional evidence for a rat salience network},

author = {Pei-Jung Tsai and Robin J Keeley and Stephanie A Carmack and Janaina C M Vendruscolo and Hanbing Lu and Hong Gu and Leandro F Vendruscolo and George F Koob and Ching-Po Lin and Elliot A Stein and Yihong Yang},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.06.023},

isbn = {0006-3223},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-06-24},

urldate = {2020-06-24},

booktitle = {Biological Psychiatry},

journal = {Biological Psychiatry},

publisher = {Elsevier},

abstract = {Background

The salience network (SN) is dysregulated in many neuropsychiatric disorders, including substance use disorder. Initially described in humans, identification of a rodent SN would provide the ability to mechanistically interrogate this network in preclinical models of neuropsychiatric disorders.



Methods

We used modularity analysis on resting-state functional MRI data of rats (n=32) to parcellate rat insula into functional subdivisions and to identify a potential rat SN based on functional connectivity patterns from the insular subdivisions. We then used mouse tract tracing data from the Allen brain atlas to confirm the network’s underlying structural connectivity. We next compared functional connectivity profiles of the SN across rat, marmoset (n=10) and humans (n=30). Finally, we assessed rat SN’s response to conditioned cues in rats (n=21) with a history of heroin self-administration.



Results

We identified a putative rat SN, which consists of primarily the ventral anterior insula and anterior cingulate cortex, based on functional connectivity patterns from the ventral anterior insular division. Functional connectivity architecture of the rat SN is supported by the mouse neuronal tracer data. Moreover, the anatomical profile of the identified rat SN is similar to that of non-human primates and humans. Finally, we demonstrate that the rat SN responds to conditioned cues and increases functional connectivity to the Default Mode Network during conditioned heroin withdrawal.



Conclusions

The neurobiological identification of a rat SN together with a demonstration of its functional relevance provides a novel platform with which to interrogate its functional significance in normative and neuropsychiatric disease models.

},

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@article{10.1093/cercor/bhaa350,

title = {Temporal Dynamics of Functional Brain States Underlie Cognitive Performance},

author = {Hong Gu and Kurt P Schulz and Jin Fan and Yihong Yang},

url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33258911/},

doi = {10.1093/cercor/bhaa350},

issn = {1047-3211},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Cerebral Cortex},

volume = {31},

number = {4},

pages = {2125-2138},

abstract = {The functional organization of the human brain adapts dynamically in response to a rapidly changing environment. However, the relation of these rapid changes in functional organization to cognitive functioning is not well understood. This study used a graph-based time-frame modularity analysis approach to identify temporally recurrent functional configuration patterns in neural responses to an n-back working memory task during fMRI. Working memory load was manipulated to investigate the functional relevance of the identified brain states. Four distinct brain states were defined by the predominant patterns of activation in the task-positive, default-mode, sensorimotor, and visual networks. Associated with escalating working memory load, the occurrence of the task-positive state and the probability of transitioning into this state increased. In contrast, the occurrence of the default-mode and sensorimotor states and the probability of these 2 states transitioning away from the task-positive state decreased. The task-positive state occurrence rate and the probability of transitioning from the default-mode state back to the task-positive state explained a significant and unique portion of the variance in task performance. The results demonstrate that dynamic brain activities support successful cognitive functioning and may have heuristic value for understanding abnormal cognitive functioning associated with multiple neuropsychiatric disorders.},

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pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Hu:2019aa,

title = {Compulsive drug use is associated with imbalance of orbitofrontal- and prelimbic-striatal circuits in punishment-resistant individuals.},

author = {Yuzheng Hu and Betty Jo Salmeron and Irina N Krasnova and Hong Gu and Hanbing Lu and Antonello Bonci and Jean L Cadet and Elliot A Stein and Yihong Yang},

url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30988198},

doi = {10.1073/pnas.1819978116},

issn = {1091-6490 (Electronic); 0027-8424 (Linking)},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-04-30},

urldate = {2019-04-30},

journal = {Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A},

volume = {116},

number = {18},

pages = {9066--9071},

address = {Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Programs, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224; yihongyang@intra.nida.nih.gov huyuzheng@zju.edu.cn.},

abstract = {Substance use disorders (SUDs) impose severe negative impacts upon individuals, their families, and society. Clinical studies demonstrate that some chronic stimulant users are able to curtail their drug use when faced with adverse consequences while others continue to compulsively use drugs. The mechanisms underlying this dichotomy are poorly understood, which hampers the development of effective individualized treatments of a disorder that currently has no Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmacological treatments. In the present study, using a rat model of methamphetamine self-administration (SA) in the presence of concomitant foot shocks, thought to parallel compulsive drug taking by humans, we found that SA behavior correlated with alterations in the balance between an increased orbitofrontal cortex-dorsomedial striatal "go" circuit and a decreased prelimbic cortex-ventrolateral striatal "stop" circuit. Critically, this correlation was seen only in rats who continued to self-administer at a relatively high rate despite receiving foot shocks of increasing intensity. While the stop circuit functional connectivity became negative after repeated SA in all rats, "shock-resistant" rats showed strengthening of this negative connectivity after shock exposure. In contrast, "shock-sensitive" rats showed a return toward their baseline levels after shock exposure. These results may help guide novel noninvasive brain stimulation therapies aimed at restoring the physiological balance between stop and go circuits in SUDs.},

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pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Geng2017,

title = {Salience and default mode network dysregulation in chronic cocaine users predict treatment outcome.},

author = {Xiujuan Geng and Yuzheng Hu and Hong Gu and Betty Jo Salmeron and Bryon Adinoff and Elliot A Stein and Yihong Yang},

url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28334915},

doi = {10.1093/brain/awx036},

issn = {1460-2156 (Electronic); 0006-8950 (Linking)},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-05-01},

journal = {Brain},

volume = {140},

number = {5},

pages = {1513--1524},

address = {Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.},

abstract = {While chronic cocaine use is associated with abnormalities in both brain structure and function within and interactions between regions, previous studies have been limited to interrogating structure and function independently, and the detected neural differences have not been applied to independent samples to assess the clinical relevance of results. We investigated consequences of structural differences on resting-state functional connectivity in cocaine addiction and tested whether resting-state functional connectivity of the identified circuits predict relapse in an independent cohort. Subjects included 64 non-treatment-seeking cocaine users (NTSCUs) and 67 healthy control subjects and an independent treatment-completed cohort (n = 45) of cocaine-dependent individuals scanned at the end of a 30-day residential treatment programme. Differences in cortical thickness and related resting-state functional connectivity between NTSCUs and healthy control subjects were identified. Survival analysis, applying cortical thickness of the identified regions, resting-state functional connectivity of the identified circuits and clinical characteristics to the treatment cohort, was used to predict relapse. Lower cortical thickness in bilateral insula and higher thickness in bilateral temporal pole were found in NTSCUs versus healthy control subjects. Whole brain resting-state functional connectivity analyses with these four different anatomical regions as seeds revealed eight weaker circuits including within the salience network (insula seeds) and between temporal pole and elements of the default mode network in NTSCUs. Applying these circuits and clinical characteristics to the independent cocaine-dependent treatment cohort, functional connectivity between right temporal pole and medial prefrontal cortex, combined with years of education, predicted relapse status at 150 days with 88% accuracy. Deficits in the salience network suggest an impaired ability to process physiologically salient events, while abnormalities in a temporal pole-medial prefrontal cortex circuit might speak to the social-emotional functional alterations in cocaine addiction. The involvement of the temporal pole-medial prefrontal cortex circuit in a model highly predictive of relapse highlights the importance of social-emotional functions in cocaine dependence, and provides a potential underlying neural target for therapeutic interventions, and for identifying those at high risk of relapse.},

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pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Hu2015,

title = {Impaired functional connectivity within and between frontostriatal circuits and its association with compulsive drug use and trait impulsivity in cocaine addiction.},

author = {Yuzheng Hu and Betty Jo Salmeron and Hong Gu and Elliot A Stein and Yihong Yang},

url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25853901},

doi = {10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.1},

issn = {2168-6238 (Electronic); 2168-622X (Linking)},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-06-01},

journal = {JAMA Psychiatry},

volume = {72},

number = {6},

pages = {584--592},

address = {Neuroimaging Research Branch, Intramural Research Program National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland.},

abstract = {IMPORTANCE: Converging evidence has long identified both impulsivity and compulsivity as key psychological constructs in drug addiction. Although dysregulated striatal-cortical network interactions have been identified in cocaine addiction, the association between these brain networks and addiction is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that cocaine addiction is associated with disturbances in striatal-cortical communication as captured by resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC), measured from coherent spontaneous fluctuations in the blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging signal, and to explore the relationships between striatal rsFC, trait impulsivity, and uncontrolled drug use in cocaine addiction. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A case-control, cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program outpatient magnetic resonance imaging facility. Data used in the present study were collected between December 8, 2005, and September 30, 2011. Participants included 56 non-treatment-seeking cocaine users (CUs) (52 with cocaine dependence and 3 with cocaine abuse) and 56 healthy individuals serving as controls (HCs) matched on age, sex, years of education, race, estimated intelligence, and smoking status. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Voxelwise statistical parametric analysis testing the rsFC strength differences between CUs and HCs in brain regions functionally connected to 6 striatal subregions defined a priori. RESULTS: Increased rsFC strength was observed predominantly in striatal-frontal circuits; decreased rsFC was found between the striatum and cingulate, striatal, temporal, hippocampal/amygdalar, and insular regions in the CU group compared with the HCs. Increased striatal-dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex connectivity strength was positively correlated with the amount of recent cocaine use (uncorrected P < .046) and elevated trait impulsivity in the CUs (uncorrected P < .012), and an index reflecting the balance between striatal-dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and striatal-anterior prefrontal/orbitofrontal cortex circuits was significantly associated with loss of control over cocaine use (corrected P < .012). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Cocaine addiction is associated with disturbed rsFC in several specific striatal-cortical circuits. Specifically, compulsive cocaine use, a defining characteristic of dependence, was associated with a balance of increased striatal-anterior prefrontal/orbitofrontal and decreased striatal-dorsal anterior cingulate connectivity; trait impulsivity, both a risk factor for and a consequence of cocaine use, was associated with increased dorsal striatal-dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex connectivity uniquely in CUs. These findings provide new insights toward the neurobiological mechanisms of addiction and suggest potential novel therapeutic targets for treatment.},

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