Chiang-Shan Ray Li, MD, PhD
Professor of Psychiatry and of NeuroscienceCards
Appointments
Contact Info
Psychiatry
CMHC S112, 34 Park Street
New Haven, CT 06519
United States
About
Titles
Professor of Psychiatry and of Neuroscience
Biography
I am a Professor of Psychiatry and of Neuroscience at Yale University School of Medicine. I graduated from National Taiwan University College of Medicine and California Institute of Technology and has been a faculty member at Yale since 2003. My earlier work employed non-human primate models to understand the neural bases of cognition. Current research in my laboratory continues to focus on systems neuroscience. By combining psychophysics, computational modeling and brain imaging we explore the circuit mechanisms of a multitude of cognitive constructs, including self control, affect regulation, and reward-related processes. The primary goals are to understand systems neural bases of these cognitive processes and how these neural processes contribute to the etiology of psychiatric and neurological illnesses, with a specific emphasis on addiction.
Appointments
Psychiatry
ProfessorPrimaryNeuroscience
ProfessorSecondary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- Resident
- Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (2001)
- Postdoctoral Associate
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1998)
- PhD
- California Institute of Technology, Computation and Neural Systems (1996)
- MD
- National Taiwan University, Medicine (1989)
Research
Overview
Medical Research Interests
ORCID
0000-0002-9393-1212
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Research Interests
Xingguang Luo, MD
Shefali Chaudhary
Jaime Ide, PhD
Thang Le, PhD
John Krystal, MD
Sheng Zhang, PhD
Mental Disorders
Central Nervous System
Drug Users
Nervous System Diseases
Publications
2025
Network structure of psychotic symptoms and childhood trauma in first-episode versus treatment-resistant schizophrenia
Liu Z, Wang X, Deng H, Huang J, Wang J, Chen W, Yang K, Li W, Chen S, Xie T, Liu R, Tian L, Yang F, Tian B, Li Y, Li C, Tan Y. Network structure of psychotic symptoms and childhood trauma in first-episode versus treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Journal Of Psychiatric Research 2025, 185: 31-39. PMID: 40147152, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.03.037.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTreatment-resistant schizophrenia patientsTreatment-resistant schizophreniaFirst-episode schizophreniaPositive and Negative Syndrome ScaleChildhood traumaPsychotic symptomsInfluences psychotic symptomsNegative Syndrome ScaleChildhood Trauma QuestionnaireChildhood trauma experiencesSyndrome ScaleFirst-episodeTrauma QuestionnaireEmotional neglectTraumatic stressTrauma experiencesSchizophreniaSymptom patternsSexual abuseInfluence symptomsSymptom evolutionPartial correlationSymptomsClinical symptomsChildhoodDiminished reward circuit response underlies pain avoidance learning deficits in problem drinkers
Le T, Oba T, Li C. Diminished reward circuit response underlies pain avoidance learning deficits in problem drinkers. NeuroImage Clinical 2025, 45: 103762. PMID: 40009903, PMCID: PMC11908557, DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2025.103762.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsPosterior cingulate cortexAvoidance learningReward circuitDrinking severityReward deficiencyLearning deficitsPain avoidanceProblem drinkersAlcohol useAvoidance learning deficitMedial orbitofrontal cortexReward circuit dysfunctionVentral tegmental areaPoor avoidance learningAssociated with problem drinkingOrbitofrontal cortexTegmental areaGo/NoGo taskCingulate cortexNeural correlatesBehavioral findingsCircuit dysfunctionAdult drinkersBrain regionsNeural processesNeural, Motivational, and Psychological Measures of Pain Avoidance Predict Future Alcohol Use in Adult Drinkers
Le T, Hughes F, Oba T, Li C. Neural, Motivational, and Psychological Measures of Pain Avoidance Predict Future Alcohol Use in Adult Drinkers. Addiction Biology 2025, 30: e70020. PMID: 39952897, PMCID: PMC11828665, DOI: 10.1111/adb.70020.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsDorsal anterior cingulate cortexDrinking motivesAlcohol usePsychological measuresPercentage of heavy drinking daysRisk of alcohol use disorderAlcohol use severityAnterior cingulate cortexHeavy drinking daysAlcohol use disorderPain-related psychological measuresParticipants' alcohol usePromote alcohol usePainful electric shocksLevels of drinkingPain sensitivityAlcohol cravingDrinking severityGo/NoGo taskCingulate cortexNeural correlatesDrinking daysUse disorderAdult drinkersOvert actionsHypothalamic resting-state functional connectivity and self-evaluated aggression in young adults
Yao Y, Chen Y, Li C. Hypothalamic resting-state functional connectivity and self-evaluated aggression in young adults. Journal Of Psychiatric Research 2025, 182: 421-429. PMID: 39889403, PMCID: PMC11834083, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2025.01.045.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsResting-state functional connectivityAggression scoresLateral hypothalamusSex differencesHuman Connectome ProjectFunctional connectivityAchenbach Adult Self-ReportAdult Self-ReportYoung adultsManifestations of aggressionVoxel-wise regressionPublished routinesMotivated behaviorOccipital gyriAggressive behaviorSelf-reportMental healthAggressionConnectome ProjectNeural pathwaysBehavioral traitsRSFCHypothalamusScoresAdultsPhenome-wide association studies between SERINC2 and neuropsychiatric disorders
Liu P, Luo X, Cao L, Zhang Y, Ji J, Wang X, Wang K, Pan X, Yang R, Tan Z, Tan Y, Li C, Guo X, Wang Z, Luo X. Phenome-wide association studies between SERINC2 and neuropsychiatric disorders. Frontiers In Psychiatry 2025, 15: 1420395. PMID: 39902246, PMCID: PMC11788846, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1420395.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGray matter volumeBipolar disorderNeuropsychiatric disordersDisease-risk alleleSubcortical gray matter volumesSubstance use disordersMRNA expressionCortical surface areaAssociated with alcoholCocaine dependenceMarijuana dependencePolysubstance dependenceMatter volumeNicotine dependenceBrain regionsSchizophreniaSubcortical structuresSNP-disease associationsPhenome-wide association studyAutismOCDFDR correctionDisordersRegulatory effectsAssociation studiesPolygenic risk for depression and resting-state functional connectivity of subgenual anterior cingulate cortex in young adults
Chen Y, Li H, Luo X, Li G, Ide J, Li C. Polygenic risk for depression and resting-state functional connectivity of subgenual anterior cingulate cortex in young adults. Journal Of Psychiatry And Neuroscience 2025, 50: e31-e44. PMID: 39809531, PMCID: PMC11737878, DOI: 10.1503/jpn.240087.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsResting-state functional connectivityPolygenic risk scoresSubgenual anterior cingulate cortexAnterior cingulate cortexDepression severityCingulate cortexSubclinical depressionHealthy young adultsSomatic complaintsYoung adultsPolygenic riskAssociated with depression severitySeverity of somatic complaintsSeverity of depressive symptomsAssociated with polygenic riskWhole-brain regressionAlcohol use severityMarkers of depressionManifestations of depressionHuman Connectome ProjectDepressive disorderSubclinical populationsMode networkDepressive symptomsBrain structures
2024
N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Antibody and Sensory Gating Deficits in Non-smoking, Minimal Antipsychotic Medication Exposure, and First-Episode Patients With Schizophrenia
Tong J, Yang K, Li W, Wang L, Yin Y, Zhou Y, Huang J, Zhang P, Zhao Y, Chen S, Fan H, Cui Y, Luo X, Tan S, Wang Z, Feng W, Tian B, Li C, Hong L, Tan Y. N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Antibody and Sensory Gating Deficits in Non-smoking, Minimal Antipsychotic Medication Exposure, and First-Episode Patients With Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin 2024, sbae180. PMID: 39406395, DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbae180.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFirst-episode schizophreniaSensory gating deficitsN-methyl-D-aspartate receptorsFirst-episode schizophrenia groupGating deficitsN-methyl-D-aspartateP50 ratioSensory gatingExposure to antipsychotic medicationAb levelsHealthy controlsAntipsychotic medication exposureFirst-episode patientsDiagnosis of schizophreniaImpaired sensory gatingP50 sensory gating deficitN-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibodiesAntipsychotic medicationFirst-episodeNon-smoking healthy controlsP50 differenceSchizophreniaPartial correlation analysisEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assayDeficitsImpulsivity Impacts Suicidality in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder with and without Comorbid Depression
Wang V, Liao D, Wu E, Li C. Impulsivity Impacts Suicidality in Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder with and without Comorbid Depression. Taiwanese Journal Of Psychiatry 2024, 38: 171-176. DOI: 10.4103/tpsy.tpsy_31_24.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBarratt Impulsiveness ScaleAlcohol use disorderSuicide attemptsUse disorderSuicidal tendenciesBarratt Impulsiveness Scale total scoreBarratt Impulsiveness Scale scoresHistory of suicide attemptsAlcohol use disorder patientsSeverity of alcohol useAssessment of impulsivityAlcohol use severitySeverity of depressionSuicide prevention effortsBarratt impulsivityImpulsiveness ScaleDepressive disorderNondepressed individualsAnxiety comorbiditiesAssess suicidalityDepression severityComorbid depressionHigher suicidalityPsychiatric comorbiditiesSevere alcoholismDrinking severity mediates the relationship between hypothalamic connectivity and rule-breaking/intrusive behavior differently in young women and men: an exploratory study
Li G, Dong Y, Chen Y, Li B, Chaudhary S, Bi J, Sun H, Yang C, Liu Y, Li C. Drinking severity mediates the relationship between hypothalamic connectivity and rule-breaking/intrusive behavior differently in young women and men: an exploratory study. Quantitative Imaging In Medicine And Surgery 2024, 14: 6669683-6666683. PMID: 39281112, PMCID: PMC11400642, DOI: 10.21037/qims-24-815.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLeft temporo-parietal junctionHypothalamic connectionsIntrusion scoresParacentral lobuleAlcohol misuseAdult Self-Report ScaleSeverity of alcohol useSeverity of alcohol misuseTemporo-parietal junctionWhole-brain regressionSeverity of drinkingSelf-report scalesHypothalamic functional connectivityImpact of problem drinkingMotivational circuitsDrinking severityHuman Connectome ProjectMotivated behaviorDrinking measuresFunctional connectivityMediation analysisProblem drinkingRule-breakingAlcohol useNeural circuitsProgressive alterations of resting-state hypothalamic dysconnectivity in schizophrenia
Li X, Zeng J, Liu N, Yang C, Tao B, Sun H, Gong Q, Zhang W, Li C, Lui S. Progressive alterations of resting-state hypothalamic dysconnectivity in schizophrenia. Progress In Neuro-Psychopharmacology And Biological Psychiatry 2024, 135: 111127. PMID: 39181307, DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111127.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHypothalamic functional connectivityBilateral anterior cingulate cortexAnterior cingulate cortexFunctional connectivityFES patientsCingulate cortexFC decreaseRight thalamusChronically treated schizophrenia patientsHealthy controlsSeed-based functional connectivityFirst-episode patientsPathogenesis of schizophreniaNature of schizophreniaAge-related declineAntipsychotic treatmentAntipsychotic medicationRight caudateLeft putamenIllness durationAnalysis of covarianceSchizophreniaDiagnostic groupsHC groupHypothalamus dysfunction
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Brain Imaging Research Study
HIC ID2000028664RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/30/2025Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge65 years - 85 yearsBiomarkers of Clinical Subtype and Treatment Response in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
HIC ID0803003626RoleSub InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date04/19/2025Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18 years - 70 years
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
activity NIH
Peer Review Groups and Grant Study SectionsMemberDetails07/01/2017 - Presenthonor Fellow, International College of Neuropsychopharmacology
International AwardDetails07/01/2019United Stateshonor Member, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology
International AwardDetails12/01/2016United Stateshonor Fellow, Association of Psychological Science
International AwardDetails11/01/2016United States
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Psychiatry
CMHC S112, 34 Park Street
New Haven, CT 06519
United States