State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University

Faculty

Current Faculty

Hua Tang Neural circuit mechanisms of higher-level cognition hua.tang#bnu.edu.cn

Educational Experience

2015.08 – 2018.01: Visiting Ph.D. student in Neuroscience, Wake Forest University

2012.09 – 2018.06: Ph.D. in Neurobiology, Nanchang University

2008.09 – 2012.06: B.S. in Biology, Nanchang University

Professional Experience

2025.07 – Present: Professor, State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning,Beijing Normal University

2018.09 – 2025.06: Postdoc Fellow, National Institute of Mental Health

2018.07 – 2018.09: Postdoc Fellow, Wake Forest University

Research Description

Our lab investigates the neural circuit mechanisms that underlie higher-level cognitive functions in macaques and humans. We integrate large-scale electrophysiological recordings, optogenetics, and computational modeling to study how the neural circuits support cognition.
Our research focuses on three primary directions:
1. Information Dynamics: Measuring how task-related abstract information is represented, transformed, and flowed across the cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical network using multi-area neural recordings.
2. Cross-Species Comparison: Exploring the co-evolution of cognitive functions and brain circuits through comparative studies across different primate species.
3. Clinical Translation: Modeling cognitive impairments in animals and validating hypotheses in clinical contexts to uncover underlying circuit mechanisms.

Publications

1. Tang, H.^#, Bartolo, R. & Averbeck, B. B^#. Ventral frontostriatal circuitry mediates the computation of reinforcement from symbolic gains and losses. Neuron 112, 3782-3795 e3785 (2024).

2. Burk, D. C., Taswell, C., Tang, H. & Averbeck, B. B. Computational mechanisms underlying motivation to earn symbolic reinforcers. J. Neurosci. 44 (2024).

3. Tang, H.*, Riley, M. R.*, Singh, B., Qi, X. L., Blake, D. T., & Constantinidis, C. Prefrontal cortical plasticity during learning of cognitive tasks. Nat Commun 13, 90 (2022).

4. Tang, H., Costa, V. D., Bartolo, R. & Averbeck, B. B. Differential coding of goals and actions in ventral and dorsal corticostriatal circuits during goal-directed behavior. Cell Rep. 38, 110198 (2022).

5. Tang, H. & Averbeck, B. B. Shared mechanisms mediate the explore-exploit tradeoff in macaques and humans. Neuron 110, 1751-1753 (2022).

6. Tang, H., Bartolo, R. & Averbeck, B. B. Reward-related choices determine information timing and flow across macaque lateral prefrontal cortex. Nat Commun 12, 894 (2021).

7. Tang, H., Qi, X. L., Riley, M. R. & Constantinidis, C. Working memory capacity is enhanced by distributed prefrontal activation and invariant temporal dynamics. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 116, 7095-7100 (2019).

8. Tang, H., Riley, M. R. & Constantinidis, C. Lateralization of executive function: working memory advantage for same hemifield stimuli in the monkey. Front. Neurosci. 11, 532 (2017).

9. Tang, H., Sun, X., Li, B. M. & Luo, F. Neural representation of cost-benefit selections in medial prefrontal cortex of rats. Neurosci. Lett. 660, 115-121 (2017).

10. Yang, Y., Cheng, Z. Y., Tang, H., Jiao, H., Sun, X., Cui, Q., Luo, F., Pan, H., Ma, C., & Li, B. Neonatal maternal separation impairs prefrontal cortical myelination and cognitive functions in rats through activation of Wnt signaling. Cereb. Cortex 27, 2871-2884 (2017).

11. Luo, F., Zheng, J., Sun, X. & Tang, H. Inward rectifier K(+) channel and T-type Ca(2+) channel contribute to enhancement of GABAergic transmission induced by beta1-adrenoceptor in the prefrontal cortex. Exp. Neurol. 288, 51-61 (2017).

12. Tang, H., Luo, F., Li, S. H. & Li, B. M. Behavioral representation of cost and benefit balance in rats. Neurosci. Lett. 632, 175-180 (2016).

13. Luo, F.*, Tang, H.* & Cheng, Z. Y. Stimulation of alpha1-adrenoceptors facilitates GABAergic transmission onto pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex. Neuroscience 300, 63-74 (2015).

14. Luo, F., Li, S. H., Tang, H., Deng, W. K., Zhang, Y., & Liu, Y. Phenylephrine enhances glutamate release in the medial prefrontal cortex through interaction with N-type Ca2+ channels and release machinery. J. Neurochem. 132, 38-50 (2015).