Description: C:\Yan G3\ZY-Web\zhen_yan.jpg               Zhen Yan, Ph.D.
    

             SUNY Distinguished Professor
   

Department of Physiology and Biophysics

School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

State University of New York at Buffalo

 

 


Research Interests:  

Synaptic and Epigenetic Mechanisms of Mental Health and Disorders

Our research goal is to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of brain disorders, including autism, stress-associated psychiatric disorders and Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, we try to understand how the glutamatergic and GABAergic transmission in prefrontal cortex (PFC) is regulated by various neuromodulators, including disease susceptibility genes, stress hormones and monoamines, which is important for cognitive and emotional control under normal conditions. We also try to understand how the aberrant action of neuromodulators under pathological conditions leads to dysregulation of synaptic transmission in PFC. Recently, we are focusing on investigating how epigenetic abnormality caused by genetic and environmental factors results in pathological gene alterations, leading to synaptic dysfunction and behavioral deficits related to brain disorders.

 

Animal models of diseases and human stem cell-derived neurons are used in our studies. The major techniques include: whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of synaptic currents in brain slices, multichannel recordings of neuronal spikes in anesthetized or free-moving animals, viral-based in vivo gene transfer, biochemical and immunocytochemical detection of synaptic and nuclear proteins, transcriptomic and molecular analysis of genetic and epigenetic alterations, chemogenetic and optogenetic manipulation of neuronal circuits, and behavioral assays of cognitive, social and emotional processes. By integrating the multidisciplinary approaches, we have revealed the unique and convergent actions of neuromodulators on synaptic functions, and their contributions to the manifestation of behavioral deficits in disease states.

Publication List

Lab Members 

Biographical Information

News Release

Lab Photos

 

Contact Information:

Email: zhenyan@buffalo.edu
Tel: (716) 829-3058 (office), (716) 829-3592 (lab)
Location: 955 Main St. Rm. 3150 (lab); Rm. 3156 (office)

Mailing address: 955 Main St. Rm. 3102, Buffalo, NY 14203

 

Recent Highlights on Lab Members' Achievements:

 

*     Megan Conrow (MD/PhD student) won the NIH F30 Fellowship (Ruth L. Kirschstein Individual Predoctoral NRSA for MD/PhD) in 2021 !

 

*     Jamal B. Williams (PhD student) won the NIH Blueprint Diversity Specialized Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Advancement in Neuroscience (D-SPAN) award (F99/K00) in 2020 ! Jamal has earned the PhD degree, won 2022 Dean's Award for Outstanding Dissertation Research ! After a postdoctoral training with Dr. Daniel Geschwind at UCLA, Jamal has become assistant professor in the Dept. of Psychiatry, State Univ. of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY!

 

*     Benjamin Rein (PhD student) has earned the PhD degree, won 2021 Dean's Award for Outstanding Dissertation Research, and joined Dr. Robert Malenka's lab in Stanford University for his postdoctoral training !

 

*     Jia Cheng (PhD student) has become the scientific editor of Cell !

 

*     Dr. Zijun Wang (Postdoctoral Associate) has become assistant professor in the Dept. of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, Lawrence, KS!

 

*     Dr. Luye Qin (Research Assistant Professor) has become assistant professor in the Dept. of Basic Biomedical Sciences, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD!

 

For more information, view a report here.

 

Recent Selective Peer-Reviewed Publications:

(Google Scholar, H-index: 76; Total Citations: ~20,500

2024

*        Zhong P, Cao Q, Yan Z (2024) Distinct and convergent alterations of entorhinal cortical circuits in two mouse models for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. J. Alzheimer's Disease (in press).

*        Carballo LH, Li P, Senek R, Yan Z (2024) Systemic HDAC inhibition ameliorates the aberrant responses to acute stress in socially isolated male mice. J. Physiology (in press).

*        Wan L, Yang G, Yan Z (2024) Identification of a molecular network regulated by multiple ASD high risk genes. Human Molecular Genetics (in press).

2023

*        Williams JB, Cao Q, Wang W, Lee YH, Qin L, Zhong P, Ren Y, Ma K, Yan Z (2023) Inhibition of histone methyltransferase Smyd3 rescues NMDAR and cognitive deficits in a tauopathy mouse model. Nature Communications 14:91. [PDF file]

*        Li P and Yan Z (2023) An epigenetic mechanism of social isolation stress in adolescent female mice. Neurobiology of Stress 29:100601. [PDF file]

*        Cao Q, Kumar M, Frazier A, Williams JB, Zhao S, Yan Z (2023) Longitudinal characterization of behavioral, morphological and transcriptomic changes in a tauopathy mouse model. Aging. [PDF file]

*        Patel PJ, Ren Y, Yan Z (2023) Epigenomic analysis of Alzheimer's disease brains reveals diminished CTCF binding on genes involved in synaptic organization. Neurobiology of Disease 184:106192. [PDF file]

*        Zhu B, Fisher E, Li L, Zhong P, Yan Z, Feng J (2023) PTBP2 attenuation facilitates fibroblast to neuron conversion by promoting alternative splicing of neuronal genes. Stem Cell Reports 18(11):2268-2282. [PDF file]

*        Pu J, Lin L, Jiang H, Hu Z, Li H, Yan Z, Zhang B, Feng J (2023) Parkin maintains robust pacemaking in human iPSC-derived A9 dopaminergic neurons. Movement Disorder 38(7):1273-1281. [PDF file]

*        Rapanelli M, Wang W, Hurley E, Feltri ML, Pittenger C, Frick LR, Yan Z (2023) Cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain are involved in behavioral abnormalities associated with Cul3 deficiency: role of prefrontal cortex projections in cognitive deficits. Translational Psychiatry 13(1):22. [PDF file]

*        Yan Z (2023) A physiological cause to empathy deficits in a mouse model of FTD. Neuron 11(6):757-758. (preview) [PDF file]

 

2022

*        Conrow-Graham M, Williams JB, Martin J, Zhong P, Cao Q, Rein B, Yan Z (2022) A Convergent mechanism of high risk factors ADNP and POGZ in neurodevelopmental disorders. Brain 145: 3250-3263. [PDF file]

*        Wang ZJ, Shwani T, Liu J, Zhong P, Yang F, Schatz K, Zhang F, Pralle A, Yan Z (2022) Molecular and cellular mechanisms for differential effects of chronic social isolation stress in males and females. Molecular Psychiatry 27(7):3056-3068. [PDF file] Cover article

*        Li H, Jiang H, Li H, Li L, Yan Z, Feng J (2022) Generation of human A9 dopaminergic pacemakers from induced pluripotent stem cells. Molecular Psychiatry 27(11):4407-4418. [PDF file]

*        Wang W, Tan T, Cao Q, Zhang F, Rein B, Duan WM, Yan Z (2022) Histone Deacetylase Inhibition Restores Behavioral and Synaptic Function in a Mouse Model of 16p11.2 Deletion. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 25(10):877-889. [PDF file]

*        Sanacora G, Yan Z, Popoli M (2022) The stressed synapse 2.0: Pathophysiological mechanisms in stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 23:86-103. (review) [PDF file] Cover article

*        Zhong P, Cao Q, Yan Z (2022) Selective impairment of circuits between prefrontal cortex glutamatergic neurons and basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in a tauopathy mouse model. Cerebral Cortex 32(24):5569-5579. [PDF file]

*        Rapanelli M, Williams JB, Ma K, Yang F, Zhong P, Patel R, Kumar M, Qin L, Rein B, Wang ZJ, Kassim B, Javidfar B, Couto L, Akbarian S, Yan Z (2022) Targeting histone demethylase LSD1 for treatment of deficits in autism mouse models. Molecular Psychiatry 27(8):3355-3366. [PDF file]

*        Rein B, Conrow-Graham M, Frazier A, Cao Q, Yan Z (2022) Inhibition of histone deacetylase 5 ameliorates abnormalities in 16p11.2 duplication mouse model. Neuropharmacology 204:108893. [PDF file]

*        Qin L, Ma K, Yan Z (2022) Rescue of histone hypoacetylation and social deficits by ketogenic diet in a Shank3 mouse model of autism. Neuropsychopharmacology 47(6):1271-1279. [PDF file] Cover article

*        Yan Z and Rein B (2022) Mechanisms of synaptic transmission dysregulation in the prefrontal cortex: pathophysiological implications. Molecular Psychiatry 27(1):445-465. (review) [PDF file]

 

2021

*        Qin L, Williams JB, Tan T, Liu T, Cao Q, Ma K, Yan Z (2021) Deficiency of autism risk factor Ash1l in prefrontal cortex induces epigenetic aberrations and seizures. Nature Communications 12:6589. [PDF file]

*        Wang W, Cao Q, Tan T, Yang F, Williams JB, Yan Z (2021) Epigenetic treatment of behavioral and physiological deficits in a tauopathy mouse model. Aging Cell 20(10):e13456. [PDF file]

*        Williams JB, Cao Q, Yan Z (2021) Transcriptomic analysis of human brains with Alzheimer's disease reveals the altered expression of synaptic genes linked to cognitive deficits. Brain Communications 3(3):fcab123. [PDF file]

*       Tan T, Wang W, Liu T, Zhong P, Conrow-Graham M, Tian X, Yan Z (2021) Neural circuits and activity dynamics underlying sex-specific effects of chronic social isolation stress. Cell Reports 34:108874. [PDF file]

*        Catlin J, Marziali L, Rein B, Yan Z, Feltri LM, Schaner-Tooley CE (2021) Age-related neurodegeneration and cognitive impairments of NRMT1 knockout mice are preceded by misregulation of RB and abnormal neural stem cell development. Cell Death and Disease 12:1014.

*        Wang ZJ, Rein B, Zhong P, Williams JB, Cao Q, Yang F, Zhang F, Ma K, Yan Z (2021) Autism risk gene Kmt5b deficiency in prefrontal cortex induces synaptic dysfunction and social deficits via alterations of DNA repair and gene transcription. Neuropsychopharmacology 46:1617-1626. [PDF file]

*        Li B, Jiang H, Li H, Zhang B, Slaughter M, Yan Z, Feng J (2021) Direct conversion of adult human retinal pigmented epithelium cells to neurons with photoreceptor properties. Exp Biol Med 246(2):240-248.

*       Rein B, Tan T, Yang F, Wang W, Williams J, Zhang F, Mills A, Yan Z (2021) Reversal of synaptic and behavioral deficits in a 16p11.2 duplication mouse model via restoration of the GABA synapse regulator Npas4. Molecular Psychiatry 26:1967-1979. [PDF file]

*       Zhang F, Rein B, Zhong P, Shwani T, Conrow-Graham M, Wang ZJ, Yan Z (2021) Synergistic inhibition of histone modifiers produces therapeutic effects in adult Shank3-deficient mice. Translational Psychiatry 11(1):99. [PDF file]

*        Wei J, Cheng J, Waddell NJ, Wang ZJ, Pang X, Cao Q, Liu A, Chitaman JM, Abreu K, Jasrotia RS, Duffney LJ, Zhang J, Dietz DM, Feng J, Yan Z (2021) DNA methyltransferase 3A is involved in the sustained effects of chronic stress on synaptic functions and behaviors. Cerebral Cortex. 31:1998-2012. [PDF file]

*        Rapanelli M, Tan T, Wang W, Wang X, Zhong P, Wang ZJ, Frick L, Qin L, Ma K, Qu J, Yan Z (2021) Behavioral, circuitry and molecular aberrations by region-specific deficiency of the high-risk autism gene Cul3. Molecular Psychiatry 26:1491-1504. [PDF file]

 

2020

*        Cao Q, Wang W, Williams J, Yang F, Wang ZJ, Yan Z (2020) Targeting histone K4 trimethylation for treatment of cognitive and synaptic deficits in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Science Advances 6(50):eabc8096. [PDF file]

*       Rein B, Ma K, Yan Z (2020) A standardized social preference protocol for measuring social deficits in mouse models of autism. Nature Protocols 15:3464-3477. [PDF file]

*       Rein B and Yan Z (2020) 16p11.2 copy number variations and neurodevelopmental disorders. Trends in Neuroscience 43(11):886-901. (review) [PDF file]

*        Lepack AE, Werner CT, Stewart AF, Fulton SL, Zhong P, Farrelly LA, Smith ACW, Ramakrishnan A, Lyu Y, Bastle RM, Martin JA, Mitra S, O'Connor RM, Wang ZJ, Molina H, Turecki G, Shen L, Yan Z, Calipari ES, Dietz DM, Kenny PJ, Maze I (2020) Dopaminylation of histone H3 in ventral tegmental area regulates cocaine seeking. Science 368:197-201. [PDF file]

*       Zhong P, Qin L, Yan Z (2020) Dopamine differentially regulates response dynamics of PFC principal neurons and interneurons to optogenetic stimulation of VTA inputs. Cerebral Cortex 30:4402-4409. [PDF file]

*        Jin J, Bhatti DL, Lee KW, Medrihan L, Cheng J, Wei J, Zhong P, Yan Z, Kooiker C, Song C, Ahn JH, Obermair GJ, Lee A, Gresack J, Greengard P, Kim Y (2020) Ahnak scaffolds p11/Anxa2 complex and L-type voltage-gated calcium channel and modulates depressive behavior. Molecular Psychiatry 25:1035-1049. [PDF file]

*        Wang ZJ, Zhong P, Ma K, Seo JS, Yang F, Hu Z, Zhang F, Lin L, Wang J, Liu T, Matas E, Greengard P, Yan Z (2020) Amelioration of autism-like social deficits by targeting histone methyltransferases EHMT1/2 in Shank3-deficient mice. Molecular Psychiatry 25:2517-2533. [PDF file]

 

2019

*        Zheng Y, Liu A, Wang ZJ, Cao Q, Wang W, Lin L, Ma K, Zhang F, Wei J, Matas E, Cheng J, Chen GJ, Wang X, Yan Z (2019) Inhibition of EHMT1/2 rescues synaptic and cognitive functions for Alzheimer's disease. Brain 142:787-807. [PDF file] *Reported in New York Post, England's Daily Mail, EurekAlert!(AAAS), etc.

*        Martin JA, Werner CT, Mitra S, Zhong P, Wang ZJ, Gobira PH, Stewart AF, Zhang J, Erias K, Siemian JN, Hagarty D, Mueller LE, Neve RL, Li JX, Chandra R, Dietz KC, Lobo MK, Gancarz AM, Yan Z, Dietz DM (2019) A novel role for the actin-binding protein drebrin in regulating opiate addiction. Nature Communications 10:4140. [PDF file]

*        Qin L, Ma K, Yan Z (2019) Chemogenetic activation of prefrontal cortex in Shank3-deficient mice ameliorates social deficits, NMDAR hypofunction and Sgk2 downregulation. iScience 17:24-35. [PDF file]

*        Rein B, Yan Z, Wang ZJ (2019) Diminished social interaction incentive contributes to social deficits in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder. Genes Brain Behav. 19(1):e12610. [PDF file]

*        Lin L, Liu A, Li HQ, Feng J, Yan Z (2019) Inhibition of histone methyltransferases EHMT1/2 reverses b amyloid-induced loss of AMPAR currents in human stem cell-derived cortical neurons. J. Alzheimer's Disease 70:1175-1185. [PDF file]

*        Zhu BL, Long Y, Luo W, Yan Z, Lai YJ, Zhao LG, Zhou WH, Wang YJ, Shen LL, Liu L, Deng XJ, Wang XF, Sun F, Chen GJ (2019) MMP13 inhibition rescues cognitive decline in Alzheimer transgenic mice via BACE1 regulation. Brain 142:176-192. [PDF file]

*        Lai YJ, Zhu BL, Sun F, Luo D, Ma YL, Luo B, Tang J, Xiong MJ, Liu L, Long Y, Hu XT, He L, Deng XJ, Zhang JH, Yang J, Yan Z, Chen GJ (2019) Estrogen receptor α promotes Cav1.2 ubiquitination and degradation in neuronal cells and in APP/PS1 mice. Aging Cell 18:e12961. [PDF file]

*        Tan T, Wang W, Williams J, Ma K, Cao Q, Yan Z (2019) Stress exposure in dopamine D4 receptor knockout mice induces schizophrenia-like behaviors via disruption of GABAergic transmission. Schizophrenia Bulletin 45:1012-1023. [PDF file]

 

2018

*        Qin L, Ma K, Wang ZJ, Hu Z, Matas E, Wei J, Yan Z (2018) Social deficits in Shank3-deficient mouse models of autism are rescued by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition. Nature Neurosci. 21:564-575. [PDF file] *Featured in Science Translational Medicine, Reported in England's Daily Mail, Pharmaceutical Technology, etc.

*        Ma K, Qin L, Matas M, Duffney LJ, Liu A, Yan Z (2018) Histone deacetylase inhibitor MS-275 restores social and synaptic function in a Shank3-deficient mouse model of autism. Neuropsychopharmacology 43:1779-1788. [PDF file]

*        Wang W, Rein B, Tan T, Zhang F, Qin L, Yan Z (2018) Chemogenetic activation of prefrontal cortex rescues synaptic and behavioral deficits in a mouse model of 16p11.2 deletion syndrome. J. Neurosci. 38:5939-5948. [PDF file]

*        Seo JS, Zhong P, Liu A, Yan Z, Greengard P (2018) Elevation of p11 in lateral habenula mediates depression-like behavior. Molecular Psychiatry 23:1113-1119. [PDF file]

*        Tang Y, Min Z, Xiang XJ, Liu L, Ma YL, Zhu BL, Song L, Tang J, Deng XJ, Yan Z, Chen GJ (2018) Estrogen-related receptor alpha is involved in Alzheimer's disease-like pathology. Exp Neurol. 305:89-96. [PDF file]

*        Wei J, Zhong P, Qin L, Tan T, Yan Z (2018) Chemicogenetic restoration of the prefrontal cortex to amygadala pathway ameliorates stress-induced deficits. Cerebral Cortex 28:1980-1990. [PDF file] *Recommended by Faculty of 1000

 

2017

*        Zhong P, Hu Z, Jiang H, Yan Z, Feng J (2017) Dopamine induces oscillatory activity in human midbrain neurons with Parkin mutations. Cell Reports 19:1033-1044. [PDF file]

*        Seo JS, Wei J, Qin L, Kim Y, Yan Z, Greengard P (2017) Molecular and cellular basis for stress-induced depression. Molecular Psychiatry 22:1440-1447. [PDF file]

*        Cheng J, Liu A, Shi MY, Yan Z (2017) Disrupted glutamatergic transmission in prefrontal cortex contributes to behavioral abnormality in an animal model of ADHD. Neuropsychopharmacology 42:2096-2104. [PDF file]

*        Yang J, Liu AY, Tang B, Luo D, Lai YJ, Zhu BL, Wang XF, Yan Z, Chen GJ (2017) Chronic nicotine differentially affects murine transcriptome profiling in isolated cortical interneurons and pyramidal neurons. BMC Genomics 18:194. [PDF file]

 

2016

*        Yan Z, Kim E, Datta D, Lewis D, Soderling S (2016) Synaptic actin dysregulation, a convergent mechanism of mental disorders? J. Neuroscience 36:11411-7. (review) [PDF file]

*        Qin L, Liu W, Ma K, Wei J, Zhong P, Cho K, Yan Z (2016) The ADHD-linked human dopamine D4 receptor variant D4.7 induces over-suppression of NMDA receptor function in prefrontal cortex. Neurobiology of Disease 95:194-203. [PDF file]

*        Deng Y, Wei J, Cheng J, Zhong P, Xiong Z, Liu A, Lin L, Chen SD, Yan Z (2016) Partial amelioration of synaptic and cognitive deficits by inhibiting cofilin dephosphorylation in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. J. Alzheimer's Disease 53:1419-32. [PDF file]

*        Wei J, Xiong Z, Lee JB, Cheng J, Duffney LJ, Matas E, Yan Z (2016) Histone modification of Nedd4 ubiquitin ligase controls the loss of AMPA receptors and cognitive impairment induced by repeated stress. J. Neurosci. 36:2119-30. [PDF file]

*        Zhong P, Liu W, Yan Z (2016) Aberrant regulation of synchronous network activity by the ADHD-associated human dopamine D4 receptor variant D4.7 in prefrontal cortex. J. Physiol. 594:135-47. [PDF file]

*        Xu Z, Jiang H, Zhong P, Yan Z, Chen SD, Feng J (2016) Direct conversion of human fibroblasts to induced serotonergic neurons. Molecular Psychiatry 21:62-70. [PDF file]

*        Zhong P and Yan Z (2016) Distinct physiological effects of dopamine D4 receptors on prefrontal cortical pyramidal neurons and fast-spiking interneurons. Cerebral Cortex 21:62-70. [PDF file]

*        Yuen EY, Wei J, Yan Z (2016) Estrogen in prefrontal cortex blocks stress-induced cognitive impairments in female rats. J. Steroid Biochem. & Mol. Biol. 160:221-6. (review) [PDF file]

 

2015

*        Duffney LJ, Zhong P, Wei J, Matas E, Cheng J, Qin L, Ma K, Dietz DM, Kajiwara Y, Buxbaum JD, Yan Z (2015) Autism-like deficits in Shank3-deficient mice are rescued by targeting actin regulators. Cell Reports 11:1400-1413. [PDF file] *Reported in Simons Foundation SFARI, Science Daily, etc.

*        Jiang H, Xu Z, Zhong P, Ren Y, Liang G, Schilling HA, Hu Z, Zhang Y, Wang X, Chen S, Yan Z, Feng J (2015) Cell cycle and p53 gate the direct conversion of human fibroblasts to dopaminergic neurons. Nature Communications 6:10100. [PDF file]

*        Wei J, Graziane NM, Gu Z, and Yan Z (2015) DISC1 protein regulates GABAA receptor trafficking and inhibitory synaptic transmission in cortical neurons. J. Biol. Chem. 290: 27680-7. [PDF file]

*        Hu Z, Pu J, Jiang H, Zhong P, Qiu J, Li F, Wang X, Zhang B, Yan Z, Feng J (2015) Generation of naivetropic induced pluripotent stem cells from Parkinson's disease patients for high efficiency genetic manipulation and disease modeling. Stem Cells Dev. 24:2591-604. [PDF file]

*        Plattner F, Hayashi K, Hernandez A, Benavides DR, Tassin TC, Tan C, Day J, Fina MW, Yuen EY, Yan Z, Goldberg MS, Nairn AC, Greengard P, Nestler EJ, Taussig R, Nishi A, Houslay MD & Bibb JA (2015) The role of ventral striatal cAMP signaling in stress-induced behaviors. Nature Neuroscience 18:1094-100. [PDF file]

 

2014

*        Cheng J, Xiong Z, Duffney LJ, Wei J, Liu AY, Liu S, Chen GJ, Yan Z (2014) Methylphenidate exerts dose-dependent effects on glutamate receptors and behaviors. Biol. Psychiatry 76:953-62. [PDF file]

*        Yuen EY, Qin L, Wei J, Liu W, Liu A and Yan Z (2014) Synergistic regulation of glutamatergic transmission by serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors in prefrontal cortical neurons. J. Biol. Chem. 289:25177-85. [PDF file]

*        Gu Z, Cheng J, Zhong P, Qin L, Liu W, Yan Z (2014) Aβ selectively impairs mGluR7 modulation of NMDA signaling in basal forebrain cholinergic neurons: implication in Alzheimer's disease. J. Neurosci. 34:13614-13628. [PDF file]

*        Smith KR, Davenport EC, Wei J, Li X, Pathania M, Vaccaro V, Yan Z, Kittler JT (2014) GIT1 and βPIX link Rac1 signalling to GABAA receptor cluster stability and inhibitory synapse strength. Cell Reports 9:298-310. [PDF file]

*        Plattner F, Hernandez A, Kistler TM, Pozo K, Zhong P, Yuen EY, Tan C, Hawasli AH, Cooke SF, Nishi A, Guo A, Weiderhold T, Yan Z, Bibb JA (2014) Memory enhancement by targeting Cdk5 regulation of NR2B. Neuron 81:1070-83. [PDF file]

*        Hayashi-Takagi A, Araki Y, Nakamura M, Vollrath B, Duron SG, Yan Z, Kasai H, Huganir RL, Campbell DA, Sawa A (2014) PAKs inhibitors ameliorate schizophrenia-associated dendritic spine deterioration in vitro and in vivo during late adolescence. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 111:6461-6. [PDF file]

*        Wei J, Graziane NM, Wang H, Zhong P, Wang Q, Liu W, Hayashi-Takagi A, Korth C, Sawa A, Brandon NJ, Yan Z (2014) Regulation of NMDA receptors by Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia-1 (DISC1). Biol. Psychiatry 75:414-24. [PDF file] *Featured in Biological Psychiatry

*        Wang Q, Xiao B, Cui S, Song H, Qian Y, Dong L, An H, Cui Y, Zhang W, He Y, Zhang J, Yang J, Zhang F, Hu G, Gong X, Yan Z, Zheng Y, Wang X (2014) Triptolide with multiple modes of action improves learning performance in the 5XFAD Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Disease Models & Mechanisms 7:1385-95. [PDF file]

*        Deng Y, Xiong Z, Chen P, Wei J, Chen SD, Yan Z (2014) β-Amyloid Impairs the regulation of NMDA receptors by Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3. Neurobiol. Aging 35:449-59. [PDF file]

*        Wei J, Yuen EY, Liu W, Li X, Zhong P, Karatsoreos IN, McEwen BS, Yan Z (2014) Estrogen protects against the detrimental effects of repeated stress on glutamatergic transmission and cognition. Molecular Psychiatry 19:588-98. [PDF file] *Recommended by Faculty of 1000; reported in Los Angeles Times, England's Daily Mail, Huffington Post, etc.

 

2013

*        Duffney LJ, Wei J, Cheng J, Liu W, Smith KR, Kittler JT, Yan Z (2013) Shank3 deficiency induces NMDA receptor hypofunction via an actin-dependent mechanism. J. Neurosci. 33:15767-78. [PDF file]

*        Vithlani M, Hines RM, Zhong P, Terunuma M, Hines DJ, Revilla-Sanchez R, Jurd R, Haydon P, Rios M, Brandon N, Yan Z, Moss SJ (2013) Effects of BDNF on neurogenesis and depression depend upon phosphorylation of the GABAAR γ2 subunit. J. Neurosci. 33:15567-77.

*        Cheng J, Liu W, Duffney LJ, Yan Z (2013) SNARE proteins are essential in the potentiation of NMDAR currents by group II metabotropic glutamate receptors. J. Physiol. 591:3935-47. [PDF file]

*        Yuen EY, Zhong P, Li X, Wei J, Yan Z (2013) Restoration of glutamatergic transmission by dopamine D4 receptors in stressed animals. J. Biol. Chem. 288:26112-20. [PDF file]

*        Chen GJ, Xiong Z, Yan Z (2013) Ab impairs nicotinic regulation of inhibitory synaptic transmission and interneuron excitability in prefrontal cortex. Molecular Neurodegeneration 8:3. [PDF file]

 

2012

*        Yuen EY, Wei J, Liu W, Zhong P, Li X, Yan Z (2012) Repeated stress causes cognitive impairment by suppressing glutamate receptor expression and function in prefrontal cortex. Neuron 73:962-77. [PDF file] *Featured by the Cell Press; reported in TopNews, ABC Science, MedicalNewsToday, etc.

*        Lee JB, Wei J, Liu W, Cheng J, Feng J, Yan Z (2012) Histone Deacetylase 6 gates the synaptic action of acute stress in prefrontal cortex. J. Physiology 90:1535-46. [PDF file]

*        Yuen EY, Wei J, Zhong P, Yan Z (2012) Disrupted GABAAR trafficking and synaptic inhibition in a mouse model of Huntington's disease. Neurobiology of Disease 46:497-502. [PDF file]

*        Jiang H, Ren Y, Yuen EY, Zhong P, Ghaedi M, Hu Z, Azabdaftari G, Nakaso K, Yan Z, Feng J (2012) Parkin controls dopamine utilization in human midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Nature Communications 3:668. [PDF file]

*        Gu Z, Liu W, Wei J, Yan Z (2012) Regulation of NMDA receptors by metabotropic glutamate receptor 7. J. Biol. Chem. 287:10265-75. [PDF file] * Selected as "Papers of the Week"

*        Yuen EY, Li X, Wei J, Horiguchi M, Meltzer HY, Yan Z (2012) The novel antipsychotic drug lurasidone enhances NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic responses. Mol. Pharm. 81:113-9. [PDF file]

 

Papers published before 2012 can be found in Publication List

 

Last updated: 3/2024