Thang Le, PhD
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Assistant Professor
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.
Last Updated on April 07, 2025.
Appointments
Psychiatry
Assistant ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Janeway Society
- MR Core
- Psychiatry
Education & Training
- PhD
- Stony Brook University, Integrative Neuroscience (2017)
- BA
- Park University, Psychology (2009)
Research
Publications
2025
Diminished 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 ResearchNeural, 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 Research
2024
Neural correlates of proactive avoidance deficits and alcohol use motives in problem drinking
Le T, Oba T, Couch L, McInerney L, Li C. Neural correlates of proactive avoidance deficits and alcohol use motives in problem drinking. Translational Psychiatry 2024, 14: 336. PMID: 39168986, PMCID: PMC11339324, DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-03039-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe 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 Research
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 ResearchPositive 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 Research
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 Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus Statements
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 ResearchFunctional 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 Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus Statements
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
Pain avoidance in alcohol use disorders
IRB ID2000030879RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date06/30/2025Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge21 years - 60 years
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