Thang Le, PhD
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About
Titles
Associate Research Scientist
Biography
Dr. Le uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the etiological processes of alcohol use disorder (AUD). His work leverages neuroimaging, physiological recordings, and clinical assessments to elucidate the role of pain response in the maintenance and relapse of AUD. With his background in cognitive neuroscience, Dr. Le has previously examined the interplay between control and motivational processes in mood disorders. He continues to incorporate these domains in his research to better understand drinking behavior.
In 2022, Dr. Le received the NIAAA’s Pathway to Independence Award (K99) to study the neural underpinnings of avoidance learning dysfunction in individuals with AUD. His goal is to identify the biomarkers for the development and relapse of the disorder.
Appointments
Psychiatry
Associate Research ScientistPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- PhD
- Stony Brook University, Integrative Neuroscience (2017)
- BA
- Park University, Psychology (2009)
Research
Publications
2024
The Neural Correlates of Individual Differences in Reinforcement Learning during Pain Avoidance and Reward Seeking
Le T, Oba T, Couch L, McInerney L, Li C. The Neural Correlates of Individual Differences in Reinforcement Learning during Pain Avoidance and Reward Seeking. ENeuro 2024, 11: eneuro.0437-23.2024. PMID: 38365840, PMCID: PMC10901196, DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0437-23.2024.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSuperior frontal gyrusReward-seekingCingulate cortexNeural correlatesPain avoidanceAction biasDorsal anterior cingulate cortexLeft posterior cingulate cortexAction-outcome associationsGo/No-Go taskAnterior cingulate cortexPosterior cingulate cortexImpact of outcomesHigher learning rateReward trialsFrontal gyrusAvoidance learningMidcingulate cortexNeural substratesAssociative learningAction tendenciesPre-SMAAssociated with activationPrecentral gyrusPostcentral gyrus
2023
Cortical thickness of the inferior parietal lobule as a potential predictor of relapse in men with alcohol dependence
Yang K, Du R, Yang Q, Zhao R, Fan F, Chen S, Luo X, Tan S, Wang Z, Yu T, Tian B, Le T, Li C, Tan Y. Cortical thickness of the inferior parietal lobule as a potential predictor of relapse in men with alcohol dependence. Brain Imaging And Behavior 2023, 18: 331-342. PMID: 38078981, DOI: 10.1007/s11682-023-00838-7.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2022
Problem drinking and the interaction of reward, negative emotion, and cognitive control circuits during cue-elicited craving
Le T, Chen Y, Chaudhary S, Li C. Problem drinking and the interaction of reward, negative emotion, and cognitive control circuits during cue-elicited craving. Addiction Neuroscience 2022, 1: 100004. DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2021.100004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCognitive control circuitsPositive alcohol expectanciesNegative emotionsAlcohol use severityCognitive controlMotivational processesCue exposureAlcohol expectanciesUse severityAlcohol useAlcohol cue exposureCue-elicited cravingSocial isolationIndividual differencesReward responsesNegative reinforcementAdult drinkersEmotionsPath modelProblem drinkingActivity differencesRewardDrinking behaviorCravingControl processPositive alcohol expectancy and resting-state functional connectivity of the insula in problem drinking
Le TM, Malone T, Li CR. Positive alcohol expectancy and resting-state functional connectivity of the insula in problem drinking. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2022, 231: 109248. PMID: 34998254, PMCID: PMC8881788, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109248.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsResting-state functional connectivityPositive alcohol expectanciesAlcohol expectanciesInsular connectivityFunctional connectivityWhole-brain multiple regressionPath analysisNegative emotion processingVentromedial prefrontal cortexSuperior parietal lobuleSuperior frontal gyrusCognitive controlAlcohol stimuliEmotion processingPrefrontal structuresStimulus saliencyFrontal gyrusDrinking motivationsMotivational circuitsInsula connectivityParietal lobuleAdult drinkersPrefrontal cortexInsulaDrinking behavior
2021
Distinct patterns of prefrontal cortical disengagement during inhibitory control in addiction: A meta-analysis based on population characteristics
Le TM, Potvin S, Zhornitsky S, Li CR. Distinct patterns of prefrontal cortical disengagement during inhibitory control in addiction: A meta-analysis based on population characteristics. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 2021, 127: 255-269. PMID: 33933507, PMCID: PMC8411123, DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.04.028.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDorsal anterior cingulate cortexMiddle frontal gyrusHealthy controlsLeft dorsal anterior cingulate cortexMFG activationSubstance use statusPrefrontal cortical dysfunctionAnterior cingulate cortexPrefrontal cortical regionsResponse inhibitionPopulation characteristicsImpaired task performanceInhibitory control deficitsCortical dysfunctionCerebral functionBenefits of abstinenceNicotine usersCortical activationCingulate cortexCortical regionsFrontal gyrusBrain activationDrug addictionUse statusControl deficits
2020
The Neural Processes Interlinking Social Isolation, Social Support, and Problem Alcohol Use
Le TM, Wang W, Zhornitsky S, Dhingra I, Chen Y, Zhang S, Li CR. The Neural Processes Interlinking Social Isolation, Social Support, and Problem Alcohol Use. The International Journal Of Neuropsychopharmacology 2020, 24: 333-343. PMID: 33211853, PMCID: PMC8059487, DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaa086.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSocial supportVentral striatumVS connectivityAlcohol misuseSocial isolationWhole-brain multiple regressionProblem drinkingProblem drinkersAlcohol useResting-state functional magnetic resonanceFunctional magnetic resonanceMiddle frontal gyrusPotential protective factorsProblem alcohol usePrefrontal cortical modulationCognitive controlIndividual differencesNeural processesNeural substratesFrontal gyrusPrefrontal connectivityElevated stress responseFunctional connectivityPath analysisNeural connectivityFunctional neural network configuration in late childhood varies by age and cognitive state
Le TM, Huang AS, O’Rawe J, Leung HC. Functional neural network configuration in late childhood varies by age and cognitive state. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience 2020, 45: 100862. PMID: 32920279, PMCID: PMC7494462, DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2020.100862.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWhole-brain networksCognitive demandsLate childhoodConnectivity patternsFunctional network characteristicsFunctional network connectivityNetwork connectivity patternsPerceptual tasksFrontoparietal networkVisual processingCognitive developmentCognitive stateVisual perceptionBehavioral performanceTask statesEarly adolescenceBrain maturationConnectivity profilesDistinct tasksYoung adultsNeural network configurationMemoryNetwork architectureExploratory analysisTaskPerceived burdensomeness and neural responses to ostracism in the Cyberball task
Le TM, Zhornitsky S, Wang W, Li CR. Perceived burdensomeness and neural responses to ostracism in the Cyberball task. Journal Of Psychiatric Research 2020, 130: 1-8. PMID: 32763557, PMCID: PMC7554229, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.06.015.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCyberball taskInterpersonal needsIndividual differencesProsocial behaviorNeural responsesSocial interactionStronger neural responsesGreater brain activationDorsomedial prefrontal cortexMiddle frontal gyrusSocial exclusionResponse timeBrain activationBrain correlatesBehavioral performanceFMRI studyAnterior insulaFrontal gyrusSocial painBehavioral avoidanceAffective responsesBehavioral measuresNeural activationPrefrontal cortexEmotional distressPain and reward circuits antagonistically modulate alcohol expectancy to regulate drinking
Le TM, Zhornitsky S, Zhang S, Li CR. Pain and reward circuits antagonistically modulate alcohol expectancy to regulate drinking. Translational Psychiatry 2020, 10: 220. PMID: 32636394, PMCID: PMC7341762, DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-00909-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMedial orbitofrontal cortexPath modelCue exposure taskWhole-brain regressionAlcohol cue exposurePAG connectivityPotential aversive effectsExposure tasksCue exposureAlcohol expectanciesSocial pleasureDrinking severityOrbitofrontal cortexFMRI dataConnectivity strengthPrecentral gyrusOccipital cortexPSP scoresAlcohol useAversive effectsExcessive drinkingNegative associationExpectancyPleasureCortexAge-Related Changes in the Neural Processes of Reward-Directed Action and Inhibition of Action
Le TM, Chao H, Levy I, Li CR. Age-Related Changes in the Neural Processes of Reward-Directed Action and Inhibition of Action. Frontiers In Psychology 2020, 11: 1121. PMID: 32587547, PMCID: PMC7298110, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01121.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchInhibition of actionFunctional brain changesRostral anterior cingulate cortexWhole-brain multiple regressionAnterior cingulate cortexMiddle frontal gyrusAge-related changesFunctional magnetic resonanceBrain changesPostcentral gyrusCingulate cortexAnterior insulaFrontal gyrusTrialsProlonged response timeSuccess trialsGo trialsNeural activationReward-directed actionNegative modulationAgeAction inhibitionBrain substratesAge-related slowingReduced activity
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Pain avoidance in alcohol use disorders
HIC ID2000030879RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/30/2025Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge21 years - 60 years