My group studies the neural circuits underlying cognitive function and dysfunction as they relate to anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and autism. We use sophisticated technologies to manipulate specific neural circuits in the rodent brain to determine their role in behavior. We are interested in changes in synaptic strength that may underlie mental disorders.
Understanding the link between neural circuits and behavior has been the focus of research in my lab. We are particularly interested in studying the synaptic and circuit mechanisms underlying reward processing, attention, and learning and memory; as well as synaptic and circuit dysfunctions responsible for maladaptive behaviors that are related to major mental disorders. We integrate in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology, imaging, molecular, genetic, optogenetic, and chemogenetic techniques to probe and manipulate the function of specific neural circuits – with a focus on the fear and reward circuits – in the rodent brain, and to determine how these circuits participate in adaptive or maladaptive behavioral responses in various tasks.
Fine-tuning motivation in the brain
December 9, 2021
Scientists have pinpointed a group of neurons in the brain that can adjust a mouse’s motivational drive to seek out rewards.
Mammalian motivation circuits: Maybe they’re born with it
October 18, 2021
CSHL researchers found that young mice have neurons responsible for processing “positive” or “negative” signals before they experience those cues.
NIH BRAIN Initiative invests $9.7 million in CSHL scientists
December 29, 2020
CSHL scientists received grants to broaden our knowledge of the human brain and how to treat neurological disorders.
Bo Li and Richard Sever present at “Life Science Across the Globe”
November 18, 2020
Professor Bo Li and Assistant Director of CSHL Press Richard Sever gave talks as part of the “Life Science Across the Globe” series.
How does the brain process fear?
November 3, 2020
Though fear memories are made in the amygdala, a structure deep in the brain, lots of other brain structures participate.
The motivation center of the mouse brain in 3D
September 15, 2020
A 3D-model of the mouse brain (gray) showing the dorsal striatum (green), which includes the striosome. Model: Allen Brain Atlas
Reward and punishment take similar paths in the mouse brain
September 15, 2020
One brain structure is involved with both positive and negative reinforcement types of learning.
How the brain balances pleasure and pain
December 31, 2019
The brain balances signals that either excite or inhibit neurons and influence the motivation of an animal to seek a reward or avoid punishment.
CSHL postdocs receive NARSAD Young Investigator Grants
October 30, 2019
Two CSHL neuroscience postdocs conducting neurobiological and psychiatric research received the 2019 NARSAD Young Investigators grant.
Interview with a neuroscientist
May 31, 2019
CSHL Professor Bo Li’s lab studies the biology behind mental disorders. Learn more about how Li’s work is changing the way we think about mental health.
Selected Publications
Oligophrenin-1 moderates behavioral responses to stress by regulating parvalbumin interneuron activity in the medial prefrontal cortex.
1 Apr 2021 | Neuron
Wang, Minghui, Gallo, Nicholas, Tai, Yilin, Li, Bo, Van Aelst, Linda
A Central Amygdala-Globus Pallidus Circuit Conveys Unconditioned Stimulus-Related Information and Controls Fear Learning
18 Nov 2020 | The Journal of Neuroscience | 40(47):9043-9054
Giovanniello, J, Yu, K, Furlan, A, Nachtrab, G, Sharma, R, Chen, X, Li, B
A Genetically Defined Compartmentalized Striatal Direct Pathway for Negative Reinforcement
1 Oct 2020 | Cell | 183(1):211-227.e20
Xiao, X, Deng, H, Furlan, A, Yang, T, Zhang, X, Hwang, G, Tucciarone, J, Wu, P, He, M, Palaniswamy, R, Ramakrishnan, C, Ritola, K, Hantman, A, Deisseroth, K, Osten, P, Huang, Z, Li, B
A central amygdala-globus pallidus circuit conveys unconditioned stimulus information and controls fear learning
30 Apr 2020 | BioRxiv
Giovanniello, Jacqueline, Yu, Kai, Furlan, Alessandro, Nachtrab, Gregory, Sharma, Radhashree, Chen, Xiaoke, Li, Bo
Parvalbumin interneuron dysfunction in a thalamo-prefrontal cortical circuit in Disc1 locus impairment mice
4 Feb 2020 | eNeuro
Delevich, K, Jaaro-Peled, H, Penzo, M, Sawa, A, Li, B
All Publications
A genetically defined insula-brainstem circuit selectively controls motivational vigor
7 Dec 2021 | Cell
Deng, Hanfei, Xiao, Xiong, Yang, Tao, Ritola, Kimberly, Hantman, Adam, Li, Yulong, Huang, Z, Li, Bo
A fluorescent sensor for spatiotemporally resolved imaging of endocannabinoid dynamics in vivo
11 Nov 2021 | Nature Biotechnology
Dong, Ao, He, Kaikai, Dudok, Barna, Farrell, Jordan, Guan, Wuqiang, Liput, Daniel, Puhl, Henry, Cai, Ruyi, Wang, Huan, Duan, Jiali, Albarran, Eddy, Ding, Jun, Lovinger, David, Li, Bo, Soltesz, Ivan, Li, Yulong
Genetically identified amygdala-striatal circuits for valence-specific behaviors
18 Oct 2021 | Nature Neuroscience
Zhang, Xian, Guan, Wuqiang, Yang, Tao, Furlan, Alessandro, Xiao, Xiong, Yu, Kai, An, Xu, Galbavy, William, Ramakrishnan, Charu, Deisseroth, Karl, Ritola, Kimberly, Hantman, Adam, He, Miao, Josh Huang, Z, Li, Bo
Neurotensin neurons in the central extended amygdala control energy balance
4 Aug 2021 | bioRxiv
Furlan, Alessandro, Corona, Alberto, Boyle, Sara, Sharma, Radhashree, Rubino, Rachel, Habel, Jill, Gablenz, Eva, Giovanniello, Jacqueline, Beyaz, Semir, Janowitz, Tobias, Shea, Stephen, Li, Bo
Sex-Specific Stress-Related Behavioral Phenotypes and Central Amygdala Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of 16p11.2 Microdeletion
Jun 2021 | Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science | 1(1):59-69
Giovanniello, Jacqueline, Ahrens, Sandra, Yu, Kai, Li, Bo