HanTing Zhang

HanTing Zhang serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry at West Virginia University School of Medicine. His research program focuses on cyclic nucleotide signaling pathways in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, utilizing advanced molecular and behavioral methodologies.

Research interests center on cAMP/cGMP signaling mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease, depression, anxiety, alcohol dependence, and memory disorders. His laboratory employs radial arm-maze, water-maze, forced-swim tests, alcohol drinking behavior models, brain microinfusions, immunoblotting, RNAi gene silencing (shRNAs, CRISPR-Cas9), and optogenetics to develop novel treatments targeting phosphodiesterases.

Publication trends reveal specialization in phosphodiesterase inhibition (particularly PDE2, PDE4, PDE9), Alzheimer's disease mechanisms involving Cdk5 and amyloid-beta pathways, and neuroprotective strategies for stroke and multiple sclerosis. Recent work emphasizes translational approaches combining gene therapy (AAV9 vectors), kinase inhibitors (fasudil), and natural compounds.

Affiliation Details:

• Institution: West Virginia University
• School: School of Medicine
• Department: Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry
• Position: Associate Professor & Researcher

Dr. Zhang's grant-supported work involves collaborative neuroscience projects with significant focus on alcohol dependence pharmacotherapy and neurodegenerative disease mechanisms. His laboratory maintains active research programs in phosphodiesterase-targeted therapeutics and neural signaling pathways.

The research team operates within the Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry department, utilizing specialized facilities for behavioral testing, molecular analysis, and neural circuit manipulation. Current projects emphasize developing CNS-targeted treatments through cyclic nucleotide pathway modulation.