Cai Lab
Principal Investigator: Weidong Cai
Institution: Stanford University (Stanford, CA)
Primary Subfield: Neuroscience
Recruitment Status: Inquire for rotation/fellowship opportunities
Research Focus
Project Summary This project addresses the pressing and widespread challenges posed by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), particularly the frequently co-occurring neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS). ADRD are prevalent, debilitating conditions that severely impair daily functioning and place a significant burden on patients, families and society. NPS affect nearly 80% of individuals with dementia, with symptoms such as apathy and disinhibition closely linked to deficits in the motivation and cognitive control systems. Neuroimaging studies have identified structural, functional and metabolic abnormalities in these systems among old adults exhibiting apathy and/or disinhibition. However, a mechanistic understanding of how dysfunction in motivation and cognitive control systems contribute to these symptoms remains lacking. Recent cognitive neuroscience models highlight the critical roles of neural dynamics in supporting motivation and cognitive control functions. Our recent findings indicate that both healthy and pathological aging significantly impact on brain circuit dynamics, influencing cognitive functioning in older adults. However, little is known about how AD patholo…
Active NIH Awards
- 1R21AG093006-01A1: Uncovering dynamic brain circuit mechanisms associated with apathy and disinhibition in Alzheimer's Dementia (2026)
- 1R01MH140868-01A1: Volatility and rigidity in brain states: A novel approach for understanding andpredicting youth externalizing behaviors (2026)
- 5R01MH124816-05: An integrative framework of cognitive control and reward modulation in children with ADHD: from brain dynamics to clinical symptoms (2025)
- 3R01MH124816-04S1: An integrative framework of cognitive control and reward modulation in children with ADHD: from brain dynamics to clinical symptoms (2024)
- 5R01MH124816-04: An integrative framework of cognitive control and reward modulation in children with ADHD: from brain dynamics to clinical symptoms (2024)
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