Department of Biomedical Sciences (Master's Program in Clinical Trials Assessment)

Lab & Research Interest

Our research interests focus on the information processing by mammalian brain circuits.  The brain function is based on interconnected neurons (i.e. the neural networks) capable of carrying and transmitting electrical signals or rhythms (i.e. the neural “codes”).  Work in our laboratory seeks to decode the brain by dissecting normal and deranged brain rhythms with an across-level approach, from molecules to circuits to behaviors.  To this end, several functional network research systems have been established and investigated in depth in the present laboratory.  These include the cortico-basal ganglia networks responsible for central motor control and symptomatic pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease, the cortico-thalamic networks for sensorimotor processing, vigilance, and cognition, and the cortico-amygdalar networks for cognition and epileptogenesis.  The cortico-subcortical reentrant loops form the main circuitries that generate mammalian brain rhythms.  Brain rhythms necessarily would be correlated with neural activities, which must play a determinant role in behavior and cognition, although the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear.  In recent years, we have endeavored to uncover novel unifying principles underlying brain rhythmogenesis in physiological as well as pathophysiological (epileptic or parkinsonian) conditions.

https://goodnews.cgu.edu.tw/p/406-1051-88263,r1033.php?Lang=zh-tw

https://highschool.cgu.edu.tw/var/file/119/1119/img/2739/771928344.pdf

Dynamic electrical synapses for a new form of plasticity and relentless activities of the brain

https://link.growkudos.com/1ez2g5p27ls

Publications

(Selected Publications)

(Y.-C. Yang serves as the Corresponding Author for all papers listed below)

1.          Y.-C. Yang, G.-H. Wang, P. Chou, S.-W. Hsueh, Y.-C. Lai, C.-C. Kuo. Dynamic electrical synapses rewire brain networks for persistent oscillations and epileptogenesis.  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (2024) 121(8):e2313042121

2.          G.-H. Wang, A.-Y. Chuang, Y.-C. Lai, H.-I. Chen, S.-W. Hsueh, Y.-C. Yang. Pre- and post-synaptic A-type K⁺ channels regulate glutamatergic transmission and switching of the network into epileptiform oscillations.  British Journal of Pharmacology (2022) 179(14):3754– 3777

3.          L.-H. N. Lee, C.-S. Huang, R.-W. Wang, H.-J. Lai, C.-C. Chung, Y.-C. Yang, C.-C. Kuo. Deep brain stimulation rectifies the noisy cortex and irresponsive subthalamus to improve parkinsonian locomotor activities.  npj Parkinsons Disease (2022) 8:77

4.          C.-S. Huang, G.-H. Wang, H.-H. Chuang, A.-Y. Chuang, J.-Y. Yeh, Y.-C. Lai, Y.-C. Yang. Conveyance of cortical pacing for parkinsonian tremor-like hyperkinetic behavior by subthalamic dysrhythmia.  Cell Reports (2021) 35:109007

5.          L.-H.N. Lee, C.-S. Huang, H.-H. Chuang, H.-J. Lai, C.-K. Yang, Y.-C. Yang, C.-C. Kuo. An electrophysiological perspective on Parkinson's disease: symptomatic pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches.  Journal of Biomedical Science (2021) 28(1):85

6.          Y.-C. Lin, Y.-C. Lai, P. Chou, S.-W. Hsueh, T.-H. Lin, C.-S. Huang, R.-W. Wang, Y.-C. Yang, C.-C. Kuo. How can a Na⁺ channel inhibitor ameliorate seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome?  Annals of Neurology (2021) 89(6): 1099-1113 

7.          Y.-C. Yang, G.‐H. Wang, A.‐Y. Chuang, S.‐W. Hsueh. Perampanel reduces paroxysmal depolarizing shift and inhibitory synaptic input in excitatory neurons to inhibit epileptic network oscillations.  British Journal of Pharmacology (2020) 177(22):5177-5194

8.          G.-H. Wang, P. Chou, S.-W. Hsueh, Y.-C. Yang, C.-C. Kuo. Glutamate transmission rather than cellular pacemaking propels excitatory-inhibitory resonance for ictogenesis in amygdala.  Neurobiology of Disease (2020) 148:105188 

9.          P. Chou, G.-H. Wang, S.-W. Hsueh, Y.-C. Yang, C.-C. Kuo. Delta-frequency augmentation and synchronization in seizure discharges and telencephalic transmission.  iScience (2020) 23(11):101666

10.      C.-S. Huang, G.-H. Wang, C.-H. Tai, C.-C. Hu, Y.-C. Yang. Antiarrhythmics cure brain arrhythmia: the imperativeness of subthalamic ERG K⁺ channels in parkinsonian discharges.  Science Advances (2017) 3:e1602272

11.      Y.-C. Yang, Hu C-C, Lai Y-C. Non-additive modulation of synaptic transmission by serotonin, adenosine,and cholinergic modulators in the sensory thalamus.  Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience (2015) 9:60.

12.      Y.-C. Yang, C.-C. Hu, C.-S. Huang, P.-Y. Chou. Thalamic synaptic transmission of sensory information modulated by synergistic interaction of adenosine and serotonin.  Journal of Neurochemistry (2014) 128:852-863

13.      C.-H. Tai, M.-K. Pan, J. J. Lin, C.-S. Huang, Y.-C. Yang, C.-C. Kuo. Subthalamic discharges as a causal determinant of parkinsonian motor deficits.  Annals of Neurology (2012) 72(3):464-76.