A major challenge in neuroscience lies in understanding how sex differences in the brain, from molecules to circuits, synergistically contribute to sex differences in behavioral displays. All animals have evolved a repertoire of innate behaviors, whilst most of these behaviors display robust sexual dimorphism. Furthermore, many neuro-psychiatric disorders exhibit sex differences in incidence or disease outcomes. Earlier evidence indicate endocannabinoid (eCB) system in brain is organized differently in male and female, and this system is involved in the regulations of innate behaviors, such as feeding and sleep, and that of common neuro-psychiatric illnesses. Therefore, our current interests will focus on using state-of-the-art genetic and optogenetic tools to reveal (1) how eCB system-modulated sex differences in the brain underlies the sexual dimorphisms in innate behavior such as innate fear, arousal and sleep; (2) the role of eCB system in the neural circuitry contributing to the sexually dimorphic neuro-psychiatric disorders.

2009-2012    Department of Anesthesiology, Xijing Hospital, Ph.D

2006-2009    Department of Anesthesiology, Xijing Hospital, M.Sc

2001-2006    Clinical Medicine, The 4th Military Medical University,M.D

   

• 2022-            Principal Investigator, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen, China

  2018-2022     Associate Investigator, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Shenzhen, China

  2012-2018     Lecturer and Attending, Department of Anesthesiology, Xijing Hospital, Xian, China

  2009-2012       Assistant and Physician, Department of Anesthesiology, Xijing Hospital, Xi’an, China

1. Liu X^#, Feng XL^#, Huang H^#, Huang K, Xu Y, Ye SW, Tseng YT, Wei PF, Wang LP, Wang F*. Male and female mice display consistent lifelong ability to address potential life-threatening cues using different post-threat coping strategies. BMC Biology. 2022 Dec 15;20(1):281.
2. Liu XL^#, Zhao GY^#, Huang HR, Ye JL, Xu JF, Zhou Y, Zhu XJ, Wang LP, Wang F^*. Lifespan changes in cannabinoid 1 receptor mRNA expression in the female C57BL/6J mouse brain. J Comp Neurol. 2023 Feb;531(2):294-313.
3. Liu X^#, Huang H^#, Zhang YL, Wang LP, Wang F*. Sexual dimorphism of inputs to the lateral habenula in mice. Neurosci Bull. 2022 Dec;38(12):1439-1456.
4. Liu X^#, Huang HR^#, Terrance S, Cao P, Wang LP, Wang F^*. The superior colliculus: cell types, connectivity and behavior. Neurosci Bull. 2022 Dec;38(12):1519-1540.
5. Zhang YL^#, Ke J^#, Zhou Y, Liu X, Huang TW*, Wang F*. Sex-specific characteristics of cells expressing the cannabinoid 1 receptor in the dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord. J Comp Neurol. 2022 Oct;530(14):2451-2473.
6. Tseng YT^#, Zhao BH^#, Chen SP^#, Ye JL, Liu JJ, Liang LS, Ding H; Schaefke B, Yang Q, Wang LN, Wang F, Wang LP^*. The subthalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons mediate adaptive REM sleep responses to threat. Neuron. 2022 Apr 6;110(7):1223-1239.
7. Yang C^#, Liu J^#, Wang J, Yin A, Jiang Z, Ye S, Liu X, Zhang X, Wang F^*, Xiong L^*. Activation of astroglial CB₁R mediates cerebral ischemic tolerance induced by electroacupuncture. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2021;41(9):2295-2310. 
8. Tseng YT^#, Zhao BH^#, Liu JJ^#, Ding H; Wang F, Wang LP^*. Sleep deprivation and adrenalectomy lead to enhanced innate escape response to visual looming stimuli. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2020;527(3):737-743. 
9. Liu X^#, Li X^#, Zhao G, Wang F^*, Wang LP. Sexual dimorphic distribution of cannabinoid 1 receptor mRNA in adult C57BL/6J mice. J Comp Neurol. 2020;528(12):1986-1999. 
10. Wang F^#, Han J^#, Higashimori H^#, Wang J^#, Liu J, Tong L, Yang Y, Dong H, Zhang X^*, Xiong L^*. Long-term depression induced by endogenous cannabinoids produces neuroprotection via astroglial CB₁R after stroke in rodents. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2019;39(6):1122-1137. 
11. Yin A^#, Wang F^*, Zhang Xia. Integrating Endocannabinoid Signaling in the Regulation of Anxiety and Depression.Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2019;40(3):336-341. 
12. Liu X^#, Chen C^#, Liu Y^#, Wang Z, Huang K, Wang F^* and Wang LP^*. Gentle handling attenuates innate defensive responses to visual threats. Front Behav Neurosci. 2018;12:239. 
13. Liu X^#, Tian F, Wang S, Wang F^*, Xiong L^*. Astrocyte autophagy flux protects neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivation and ischemic/reperfusion injury. Rejuvenation Res. 2018;21(5):405-415. 
14. Cai Y^#, Peng Z^#, Guo H, Wang F^*, Zeng Y^*. TREK-1 pathway mediates isoflurane-induced memory impairment in middle-aged mice. Neurobiol Learn Mem. 2017;145:199-204. 
15. Wang F^#, Li M^#, Li X, Kinden R, Zhou H, Guo F, Wang Q^*, Xiong L^*. 2-Arachidonylglycerol protects primary astrocytes exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation through a blockade of NDRG2 signaling and STAT3 phosphorylation. Rejuvenation Res.  2016;19:215-22. 
16. Wang F^#*, Liang W^#, Lei C, Kinden R, Sang H, Xie Y, Huang Y, Qu Y, Xiong L^*. Combination of HBO and memantine in focal cerebral ischemia: is there a synergistic effect? Mol Neurobiol. 2015;52:1458-66. 
17. Wang F^#, Zhong H^#, Li X, Peng Y, Kinden R, Liang W, Li X, Shi M, Liu L, Wang Q^*, Xiong L^*. Electroacupuncture attenuates reference memory impairment associated with astrocytic NDRG2 suppression in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Mol Neurobiol. 2014;50:305-13. 
18. Wang F^#,   Gao Z^#, Li X, Li Y, Li X, Zhong H, Xu N, Cao F, Wang Q^*, Xiong L^*. NDRG2 is involved in anti-apoptosis induced by electroacupuncture pretreatment after focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Neurol Res. 2013;35:406-414. 
19. Wang Q^#*, Wang F^#, Li X^#, Yang Q, Li X, Xu N, Huang Y, Zhang Q, Gou X, Chen S, Xiong L^*. Electroacupuncture pretreatment attenuates cerebral ischemic injury through alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated inhibition of high-mobility group box 1 release in rats. J Neuroinflammation. 2012; 9:24. 

已指导学生

张钰林  硕士研究生  071006-神经生物学  

赵高炀  硕士研究生  071006-神经生物学  

叶家霖  硕士研究生  071006-神经生物学  

黄宏任  硕士研究生  071009-细胞生物学  

徐阳  硕士研究生  085400-电子信息  

刘雪  博士研究生  071006-神经生物学  

周圆  硕士研究生  071000-生物学  

现指导学生

李栩琳  博士研究生  071006-神经生物学  

刘晶晶  博士研究生  071006-神经生物学  

郭芷菡  硕士研究生  086000-生物与医药  

王晓雨  硕士研究生  086000-生物与医药  

王舟伟  硕士研究生  085400-电子信息  

张钰林  博士研究生  071006-神经生物学  

廖沙沙  硕士研究生  085400-电子信息