Mental inflexibility is a hallmark of neuropsychiatric disorders affecting Minnesotans. Dr. Yan's project will examine whether neural signatures in the prefrontal cortex of explore-exploit transitions represent potential neuromodulation targets for improving cognitive flexibility with intracranial recordings and stimulation in humans. Her project addresses a major gap in the knowledge needed to design neuromodulation treatments for improving the flexibility of exploration and exploitation behaviors.

Postdoctoral Fellow: Xinyuan Yan, Ph.D., Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Mentor: Alexander Herman, M.D., Ph.D., Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences