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Transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illness through research DIVISION OF INTRAMURAL RESEARCH PROGRAMS

Staff Scientists and Clinicians Tianming Yang, Ph.D.   Dr. Yang is the Staff Scientist for the Section on the Neurobiology of Learning & Memory in the NIMH Laboratory of Neuropsychology. He received his B.S. in biochemistry from Fudan University in Shanghai, China. In 2003, he received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Baylor College of Medicine. He then did his postdoctoral work at the University of Washington. In 2008, he joined the NIMH as a staff scientist. Research Interests Dr. Yang's research has been focused on the neural mechanism of decision-making. In particular, he is interested in the processing of probability information in the brain. In our everyday life, our decisions are often based on pieces of information that are probabilistically associated with uncertain outcomes. The brain needs to evaluate the information to make decisions that yield best possible outcomes. Learning how the brain processes probabilistic information is crucial in understanding its cognitive capacity. In his postdoctoral work, Dr. Yang studied the role of parietal cortex during probabilistic decision-making. His study showed that the neurons in the parietal cortex computed probabilities from sensory information for decision-making. Dr. Yang's current project is aimed to understand how the brain evaluates decision outcomes to modify its decision-making strategy. A complicated brain network is involved this process, including areas in orbital frontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus and others. Using single unit recording techniques and mathematical models, Dr. Yang is looking to unveil the neural circuitry underlying decision-making. Representative Selected Recent Publications: Yang T. and Shadlen M.N. Probablisitic Reasoning by Neurons. Nature. 447: 1075-80. 2007. Shadlen M.N., Hanks T.D., Churchland A.K., Kiani R., and Yang T. The speed and accuracy of a simple perceptual decision: a mathematical primer. Bayesian Brain: Probabilistic Approaches to Neural Coding. K. Doya, S. Ishii, R. Rao, and A. Pouget, Editors. MIT Press: Cambridge. 2006. Yang T. and Maunsell J.H.. The effect of perceptual learning on neuronal responses in monkey visual area V4. J. Neurosci. 24: 1617-1626. 2004. Ghose G., Yang T., and Maunsell J.H. Physiology correlates of perceptual learning in monkey V1 and V2, J. Neurophysiol. 87: 1867-1888. 2002. Address: Building 49/1B80 49 Convent Dr Bethesda, MD Phone: 301-402-7623 Email Dr. Yang Fax: 301-402-0046 Lab Web Site: http://neuron.nimh.nih.gov/murray/index.html     Principal Investigators Scientists & Clinicians DIRP Labs and Branches DIRP Research Areas Office of the Scientific Director Site Map Participate in Research Contact Us Careers in Research What’s New Functional MRI Core Magnetic Resonance Core Magnetoencephalography Core Microarray Core Neurophysiology Imaging Facility Scientific and Statistical Computing Core Section on Instrumentation Core Transgenic Core Veterinary Medicine Resources (Staff only) Office of the Scientific Director Office of the Clinical Director Office of Fellowship Training Office of Technology Transfer Administrative Services Branch Administrative Services

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The Division of Intramural Research Programs is within the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is a part the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.