Updates and events
Li lab published two papers in October, congratulations!
One paper, entitled “Multimodal Investigation of Dynamic Brain Network Alterations in Autism spectrum disorder: Linking Connectivity Dynamics to Symptoms and Developmental Trajectories”, was published in the journal Neuroimage (IF=4.7, Q1). This study employed concurrent electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) techniques to investigate dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) patterns and neurovascular characteristics in children with ASD. This research is led by Prof. Rihui Li at the CCBS of UM and Dr. Guang Yang at PLA General Hospital. PhD student Yuhang Li is the co-first author of this paper (link).
The other paper, entitled “Disentangling the impact of motion artifact correction algorithms on functional near-infrared spectroscopy–based brain network analysis”, was published in the journal Neurophotonics (IF=4.8, Q1). This paper investigated the effect of different MA correction algorithms on the performance of brain FC and topology analyses. This research is led by Prof. Rihui Li at the CCBS of UM and Dr. Dalin Yang at the Washington Univ. in St. Louis, USA. PhD student Shuo Guan is the first author of this paper (link).
Prof. Li, the director of MNI Lab, recently received three research grants from the Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT) of Macau and the University of Macau. These grants will enable Li Lab to continue delving into the neural mechanism underlying social impairment in children with autism and developing a personalized treatment system for this cohort.
Dr. Li and PhD student Shuo Guan attended the fNIRS 2024 at the University of Birmingham in the UK from Sep 11 to 15. At the conference, Shuo presented her poster about the work that used fNIRS and eye tracking to investigate brain activity and eye-gaze patterns in girls with Fragile X syndrome.
In addition, Dr. Li worked with Prof. Haijing Niu (BNU) and Prof. Zhen Yuan (UM) to present a proposal for hosting the next fNIRS conference (fNIRS 2026) in UM. The board of SfNIRS finally decided that UM and BNU will co-host the fNIRS 2026 in Macau, Congratulations!
Two doctoral students, Yuhang Li and Shuo Guan have passed their PhD thesis proposal assessment and qualification exam, respectively. Congratulations!
Our paper, entitled “Longitudinal changes in functional neural activation and sensitization during face processing in fragile X syndrome”, is published in the journal Biological Psychiatry (IF=9.6, Q1). This pioneering longitudinal research is the first to uncover abnormal patterns of neural activity changes during face processing in FXS girls as they progress through puberty. This research is led by Prof. Rihui Li at the CCBS of UM and Dr. Yuanyuan Gao at Stanford University.
Our paper, entitled “Associations between brain network, puberty, and behaviors in boys with Klinefelter syndrome”, is published in the journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (IF=6, Q1). In this study, we investigated alterations in the resting-state brain network, testosterone level, and cognitive-behavioral impairment in adolescents with Klinefelter syndrome. This research is led by Prof. Rihui Li at the CCBS of UM and Prof. Allan Reiss at Stanford University.
Our paper, entitled “Childhood exposure to organophosphate pesticides: functional connectivity and working memory in adolescents”, is published in the journal NeuroToxicology (IF=3.4, Q2). This study examined the association between early life OP pesticide exposure and functional connectivity in adolescents. This research is led by Prof. Rihui Li at the CCBS of UM and Dr. Yuanyuan Gao at Stanford University.
Multiple members attended the international Autism Symposium held in Chengdu, China from March 28-April 1.
PhD student, Yuhang Li, and Master’s student, Danyong Feng, presented their poster. Danyong Feng won the Best Abstract Award, congratulations!
Our paper, entitled “Divergent electroencephalogram resting-state functional network alterations in subgroups of autism spectrum disorder: a symptom-based clustering analysis”, is published in the journal Cerebral Cortex. We presented a symptom-based subgroup identification method to explore the resting-state functional connectivity of ASD subgroups, with the purpose of addressing the heterogeneity of ASD. This research is led by Prof. Rihui Li at the CCBS of UM and Prof. Guang Yang at the PLA General Hospital. Doctoral student Yuhang Li at UM and Gang Zhu at PLA General Hospital are the co-first authors of this work.
To celebrate the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and welcome the new members of the lab, we had a group luncheon in Zhuhai.
Multiple members attended the 4th Macau Symposium on Cognitive and Brain Sciences held in Macau from Sep 8-9.
Dr. Rihui Li gave a guest talk entitled “Multimodal Neuroimaging to delineate Autism and its comorbidities”.
Two PhD students, Yuhang Li and Shuo Guan, presented their own poster. Yuhang Li won the Best Poster Award, congratulations!
Master student Danyong Feng gave an oral presentation in the Young Research Talk session.
As the new semester kick off, we are very excited to have five more graduate students join the Li Lab! Welcome Keqin Xie, Yiting Bao, Yujuan Liu, Shiyu Yang, and Lizi Zhang!
Yuhang Li has just passed his PhD qualification exam by giving an excellent oral presentation entitled “Delineate Social Impairment in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Multi-modal, Interpersonal Synchrony Study”. Congratulations!
Talk title: Funcitonal Near-infrared Spectroscopy Imaging in Autism Research
MNI lab had the first group luncheon at the Grand Buffet (Macau).
Our paper, entitled “Association of Intrinsic Functional Brain Network and Longitudinal Development of Cognitive Behavioral Symptoms in Young Girls With Fragile X Syndrome”, is published in the journal Biological Psychiatry. We present the results of a study specifically designed to investigate resting-state large-scale brain network characteristics in young girls with FXS, an important but underrepresented clinical population.
Welcome to the MNI Lab!