Yang Jiang, PhD
Connect
859-257-2122 (Office)yjiang@uky.edu
Positions
- Professor, Department of Behavioral Science, College of Medicine
- Faculty Investigator, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging
- Faculty Investigator, MRI and Spectroscopy Center
- Joint Faculty, Department of Psychology, College of Art and Sciences
- Research Physiologist, Lexington VA Medical Center
College Unit(s)
Other Affiliation(s)
- MD/PhD Program Mentor
Biography and Education
Biography
Dr. Yang Jiang is a tenured Professor in the Department of Behavioral Science, and an affiliated faculty member in the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging in the College of Medicine and the Psychology Department in the College of Art and Sciences. Her research focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying sensory perception and cognition in healthy and clinical populations. Her laboratory Aging, Brain, and Cognition (ABC Lab) is using approaches of psychophysics and cognitive neuroscience, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and neurophysiological signals (EEG/ERPs, MEG), to develop pathophysiological biomarkers in human populations. The Bluegrass working memory protocol, developed in the ABC Lab, applies a combination of brain imaging and behavioral indicators, and has shown great promise for early detection and continuous monitoring of cognitive decline at the individual level. The Federally-funded projects (NIH & VA) for which she serves as Principal Investigator include developing brain signatures and neurofeedback treatment for cognitive impairment due to aging or neuro-degeneration. Working with Sanders-Brown’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, the MRI Center, and a new NIH program project on Astrocyte reactivity for Alzheimer’s and dementia, her lab also has been playing active roles in NIH-funded collaborative projects by measuring individual differences in behavior, brain signals, and genetics associated with cognitive and affective processes. Dr. Jiang has been reviewing grants for National Institute of Health and other federal and states agencies in the U.S. and in Europe. She has been increasingly taking on active roles in serving to the greater scientific community, especially the Organization for Human Brain Mapping and the Alzheimer’s Association.
TEACHING
Dr. Jiang has taught cognitive neuroscience courses at undergraduate, honors, and graduate levels. She was the founding course director in a Global Health Elective (MDE 816) for medical students. Currently, she is the Co-director for MD 851 (Research in Global Health & Rural Health Concentration), and a co-director of graduate seminars (e.g., Biostatistics BSC 625; BSC 772) under the Clinical and Translational Science (CTS) graduate programs. Her lab has been a training ground for medical students, graduate students, undergraduate students, MD/PhD candidates, and postdoctoral researchers.
Education
Ph.D, Miami Univ. (OH), Experimental Psychology; Postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School, Catholic University of America, and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, NIH)
Dr. Jiang has broad training and expertise in behavioral neuroscience (functional neuroimaging) and experimental psychology (Ph.D. Psychology, Miami University, OH). Her postdoctoral training includes monkey physiology (Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA), human electrophysiology in cognitive aging (Psychology, The Catholic University of America, DC), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in Laboratory of Brain and Cognition, National Institute of Mental Health (NIH, Bethesda, MD).
Research
Dr. Jiang’s research focuses on understanding the neural mechanisms underlying sensory perception and cognition in healthy and clinical populations. Her lab is using approaches of psychophysics and cognitive neuroscience, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and event-related potentials (ERPs). The current projects include developing neurosignatures of memory malfunction and cognitive impairment due to aging or brain damage, and measuring individual differences in behavior, brain responses and genetics associated with cognitive and affective processes.
Jiang lab has developed brain signatures during resting and a visual working memory task (a.k.a. 10-min Bluegrass EEG protocol), which has been used as neurocognitive indicators (intrinsic & task EEG & fMRI signals) for early prediction of cognitive decline, or as sensitive outcome measures for various treatment or interventions.
Selected Publications
Jiang, Y, Neal, J, Sompol, P, Yener, G, Arikaki, X, Norris, CM, Farina, FR, Ibanez, A, Lopez, S, Al-Ezzi, A, Kavcic, V, Güntekin, B, Babiloni, C, & Hajos, M (2024). Parallel Electrophysiological Abnormalities due to COVID-19 Infection and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia, Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 2024; 20, 7296–7319. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.14089
UK researchers find Alzheimer’s-like brain changes in long COVID patients
Xiang, J, Yu, X, Bonnette, S, Anand, M, Riehm, C, Schlink, B, Diekfuss, JA, Myer, GD, & Jiang, Y (2023). Improved biomagnetic signal-to-noise ratio and source localization using Optically Pumped Magnetometers with synthetic gradiometers, Brain Sci. 13(4), 663; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13040663
Zheng, Z., Zhao, X., Zhu, X., Jiang, Y., & Li, J. (2023). Subtle Pathophysiological Changes in Working Memory-related Potentials and Intrinsic Theta Power in Community-dwelling Older Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline. Innovation in Aging, https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad004
Jiang Y, Jessee W, Hoyng S, Borhani S, Liu Z, Zhao X, Price LK, High W, Suhl J and Cerel-Suhl S (2022). Sharpening Working Memory With Real-Time Electrophysiological Brain Signals: Which Neurofeedback Paradigms Work? Front. Aging Neurosci. 14:780817. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.780817 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2022.780817/full
Jiang, Y, Li, J, Schmitt, F, Jicha, GA, Munro, N, Zhao, X, Smith, C, Kryscio, R, & Abner, E (2021). Memory-related frontal brainwaves predict transition to mild cognitive impairment in cognitively intact older individuals five years before diagnosis, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. vol. 79, no.2, pp. DOI: 10.3233/JAD-200931. https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad200931
Research Establishes a New Method to Predict Individual Risk of Cognitive Decline
Babiloni, C, Arakaki, X, Azami, H, … Jiang, Y,…et al. (2021). Measures of resting state EEG rhythms for clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease: Recommendations of an expert panel. Alzheimer's & Dementia, Vol 19, 9, 1528-1553. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.12311 (WILEY Top Downloaded Article - one of the most downloaded during its first 12 months of publication in ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA).
Borhani, S, Zhao, X, Kelly, MR, Gottschalk, KE, Yuan, F, Jicha, GA, & Jiang, Y (2021). Gauging working memory capacity from differential resting brain oscillations in older individuals with a wearable device, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 13:625006. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.625006 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2021.625006/full
Neal, J, Strothkamp, S, Bedingar, E, Cordero, P, Wagner, B, Vagnini, V, & Jiang, Y (2019). Discriminating fake from true brain injury using latency of left frontal neural responses during Old/New memory recognition, Frontiers in Neuroscience, Decision Neuroscience, doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2019.00988
Broster, SL, Li, J, Smith, C, Jicha, G, Schmitt, F, Munro, N, Haney, R, & Jiang, Y (2018). Spared behavioral repetition effects in Alzheimer’s disease linked to an altered neural mechanism at posterior cortex, Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, DOI:10.1080/13803395.2018.1430230
Jiang, Y, Zhao, X, Abiri, R (2017). Tuning up the old brain with new tricks: Attentional training via neurofeedback, Front. Aging Neurosci. 9:52. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00052. | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2017.00052
Li, J, Broster, L, Jicha, G, Munro, N, Schmitt, F, Abner, E, Kryscio, R, Smith, C, & Jiang, Y (2017). A cognitive electrophysiological signature differentiates amnestic mild cognitive impairment from normal aging, Alzheimer's Research & Therapy, 9:3. DOI: 10.1186/s13195-016-0229-3 [PubMed]
Jiang, Y, Lin MK, Jicha GA, Ding X, McIlwrath SL, Fardo DW, Broster LS, Schmitt FA, Kryscio R, Lipsky RH (2017). Functional human GRIN2B promoter polymorphism and variation of mental processing speed in older adults. Aging (Albany NY). 2017; 9:1293-1306. doi: 10.18632/aging.101228
Broster, LS, Jenkins, SL, Tarrant, SD, Jicha, GA, Jiang, Y (2017). Low arousal positive emotional stimuli attenuate aberrant working memory processing in persons with mild cognitive impairment, Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 60 (4), 1333-1349, DOI 10.3233/JAD-170233.
Jiang, Y, Huang, H, Abner, E, Broster, LS, Jicha, G, Schmitt, F, Kryscio, R, Andersen, A, Powell, D, van Eldik, L, Gold, B, Nelson, P, Smith, C, & Ding, M (2016). Alzheimer’s biomarkers are correlated with brain connectivity in older adults differentially during resting and task states, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 8: 15. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00015
Chester, D, DeWall, CN, Derefinko, K, Estus, S, Lynam, DR, Jiang, Y (2016). Looking for reward in all the wrong places: Dopamine receptor gene polymorphisms correlate with aggression through greater sensation-seeking, Social Neuroscience, 11, 487-494.
McBride, J, Zhao, X, Munro, N, Jicha, G, Schmitt, FA, Kryscio, RJ, Smith, C, & Jiang, Y (2015), Sugihara causality analysis of scalp EEG for detection of early Alzheimer's Disease, NeuroImage: Clinical, 7: 258–265. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213158214001909?via…
Broster, LS, Li, J, Smith, C, Jicha, G, Schimitt, F, & Jiang, Y (2013). Repeated retrieval during working memory is sensitive to amnestic mild cognitive impairment, Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 35 (9): 946-59.
Xu, P, Gu, R, Broster, L, Wu, R, Van Dam, N, Jiang, Y, Fan, J, & Luo, Y (2013). Neural basis of emotional decision making in trait anxiety, Journal of Neuroscience, 33 (47): 18641-18653.
McBride, J, Zhao, X, Munro, N, Smith, C, Jicha, J, & Jiang, Y (2013). Resting EEG discrimination of early Alzheimer’s disease from normal aging using inter-channel coherence network graphs. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 41 (6), 1233-1242.
Parasuraman, R & Jiang, Y (2012). Individual differences in cognition, affect, and performance: Behavioral, neuroimaging, and molecular genetic approaches, NeuroImage, 59 (1), p70-82.
Broster, LS, Blonder, L, & Jiang, Y (2012). Does emotional memory enhancement assist the memory-impaired? A mini-review, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 4:2. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2012.00002.
Lawson, A, Liu, X, Joseph, J, Vagnini, V, Thomas, KH, Jiang, Y (2012). Sensation seeking predicts brain responses in the old-new task: converging multimodal neuroimaging evidence, International Journal of Psychophysiology, 84(3): 260-9; doi: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2012.03.003.
Jiang, Y, Lianekhammy, J, Lawson, A, Guo, C, Lynam, D, Joseph, J, Gold, BT, & Kelly, TH. (2009). Brain responses to repeated visual experience among low and high sensation seekers: role of boredom susceptibility, Psychiatry Research: NeuroImaging, 173, 100-106.
Jones, WJ, Childers, TL, & Jiang, Y (2012). The shopping brain: mathematical anxiety modulates brain responses to buying decisions, Biological Psychology, 89, 201-213. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2011.10.011.
Jiang, Y, Luo, YJ, & Parasuraman, R. (2009). Neural mechanisms underlying age-related reduction in visual motion priming, Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition, 16(2): 164-82.
Ding, JH, Powell, D, & Jiang, Y (2009). Dissociable frontal controls during visible and memory-guided eye-tracking of moving targets, Human Brain Mapping, 30:3541-3552.
Jiang, Y, Boehler, CN, Nönnig, N, Düzel, E, Hopf, JM, Heinze, HJ, & Schoenfeld, MA (2008). Spatial-temporal analysis of binding 3D shape perception, Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 20, (4), 553-562.
Guo, CY, Lawson, A, Zhang, Q, & Jiang, Y (2008). Brain potentials of new and studied objects during working memory, Human Brain Mapping, 29, (4), 441-452 (Cover Illustration).
Jiang, Y, Ding, JH, Gold, BT, & Powell, D (2008). The hemispheric asymmetries in tracking occluded moving targets with the mind’s eye: Simultaneous event-related fMRI and eye-movement recording, Brain Imaging and Behavior, 2: (4), 300-308.
Lawson, AL,Guo, C, & Jiang, Y (2007). Age effects on brain activity during repetition priming of targets and distracters, Neuropsychologia, 45, 1223-1231.
Guo, CY, Lawson, A, & Jiang, Y (2007). Two distinct neural mechanisms of repetition priming, Neuroscience, 149, 747-759.
Zhang, Q, Guo, C, Lawson, A, & Jiang, Y (2006). Electrophysiological correlates of visual affective priming, Brain Research Bulletin, 71, 316-323.
Jiang, Y, Luo, YJ, & Parasuraman, R (2002). Neural correlates for perceptual priming of visual motion. Brain Research Bulletin, 57 (2), 211-219.
Jiang, Y, Haxby, JV, Martin, A, Ungerleider, LG, & Parasuraman, R (2000). Complementary neural mechanisms for tracking familiar items in human working memory. Science, 287, 643-646.