目前团队包括副教授2人，讲师2人，主管技师1人，博士生3人，硕士生6人。团队致力于以下研究：（1）应激和抑郁的神经递质和环路机制研究；（2）物理性脑刺激抗抑郁神经调控环路机制研究；（3）产后抑郁及其子代抑郁易感的神经递质和环路机制研究；（4）非编码RNA在大鼠抑郁样行为发生中的作用及机制研究；（5 ）G蛋白偶联受体转运机制研究。

团队以神经生物学国家重点学科为依托，已具有从基因、细胞到整体行为水平进行研究的实验条件和实验设备，拥有成熟的脑影像、行为学、形态学（包括病毒荧光神经示踪）、光遗传/化学遗传、脑片/在体多通道电生理技术以及分生/生化等技术，利用多种成熟稳定的抑郁症模型，多尺度、多层面地探讨抑郁和抗抑郁的神经环路及分子机制。

团队积极开展转化神经科学研究，目前与北京安定医院、宣武医院、三博脑科医院和朝阳医院等多家医院进行合作研究，开展包括抑郁症、癫痫及听觉疾病等多个课题研究的工作以及研究生的培养。同时积极开展国际合作，与瑞典卡罗林斯卡医学院、美国哈佛医学院和加拿大英属哥伦比亚大学相关实验室进行联合科学研究和研究生联合培养。

1. 行为学（抑郁样/焦虑样行为及社交和认知行为等）；

2. 电生理（脑片膜片钳，在体多通道和钙信号记录等）

3. 形态学（免疫荧光组化，原位杂交和RNAscope，病毒示踪和稀疏标记及电镜等）;

4. 分生和生化（质粒构建和点突变，EMSA，ChIP，QPCR和WesternBlot等）

5. 细胞生物学（神经元和胶质细胞原代及传代细胞系培养）

6. 单分子荧光技术（FCS, FRET, FREP等）

重要学术论文：

1.       Yang Y, Li Y , Liu B, Li C,Liu  Z, Deng J, Luo H, Li X, Wu J,Li H, Wang C, Zhao M, Wu H, Lallemend F, Svenningsson P, Hökfelt T*, Xu ZQD* (2021) Involvement of Scratch2 inGalR1-mediated depression-like behaviors in the rat ventral periaqueductalgray. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A.118(24):e1922586118.

2.      Luo H, Liu Z, Liu B, Li H, Yang Y*, Xu ZQD*(2019) Virus-Mediated Overexpression of ETS-1 in the Ventral Hippocampus Counteracts Depression-Like Behaviors in Rats. Neurosci Bull. 35(6):1035-1044.

3.      Wang W, Xu T, Chen X, Dong K, Du C, Sun J, Shi C,Li X, Yang Y, Li H*, Xu ZQD* (2019) NPY Receptor 2 Mediates NPY Antidepressant Effect in the mPFC of LPS Rat by Suppressing NLRP3 Signaling Pathway. Mediators Inflamm.2019:7898095.

4.      Sun J, Xu S, Li H, Li L*, Xu ZQD* (2019)  Galanin Protects Rat Cortical Astrocyte from Oxidative Stress: Involvement of GalR2 and pERK1/2 Signal Pathway. Mediators Inflamm. 2019:2716028.

5.      Li H*, Wang T, Shi C, Yang Y, Li X, WuY, Xu ZQD* (2018)  Inhibition ofGALR1 in PFC Alleviates Depressive-Like Behaviors in Postpartum Depression RatModel by Upregulating CREB-BNDF and 5-HT Levels. Front Psychiatry. 9:588.

6.      Jing B, Liu B, Li H, Lei J, Wang Z,Yang Y, Sun PZ, Xue B, Liu H*, Xu ZQD* (2018) Within-subject test-retest reliability of the atlas-based cortical volume measurement in the rat brain: Avoxel-based morphometry study. J NeurosciMethods. 307:46-52.

7.       Bai YF, Ma HT, Liu LN, Li H, Li XX, Yang YT, Xue B, WangD, Xu ZQD* (2018) Activation of galanin receptor 1 inhibits locus coeruleus neurons via GIRK channels. BiochemBiophys Res Commun. 503(1):79-85

8.      Wang J, Ou SW, Bai YF, Wang YJ, XuZQD*, Luan GM* (2018) Downregulation of adult and neonatal Nav1.5 in thedorsal root ganglia and axon of peripheral sensory neurons of rats with sparednerve injury. Int J Mol Med. 41(4):2225-2232.

9.      Wang T, Shi C, Li X, Zhang P, Liu B, Wang H,Wang Y, Yang Y, Wu Y, Li H*, Xu ZQD* (2018) Injection of oxytocin into paraventricular nucleus reverses depressive-like behaviors in the postpartum depression rat model. Behav Brain Res. 336:236-243.

10.    Luo H, Li Y, Liu B, Yang Y*, Xu ZQD(2017). MicroRNA-15b-5p targets ERK1 to regulate proliferation and apoptosis inrat PC12 cells. Biomed Pharmacother. 92:1023-1029.

11.   Mei Z, Yang Y*, Li Y, Yang F, Li J, Xing N, XuZQD* (2017) Galanin suppresses proliferation of human U251 and T98G glioma cells via its subtype 1 receptor. BiolChem. 398(10):1127-1139.

12.   Wang J, Ou SW, Bai YF, Wang YJ, Xu ZQD*,Luan GM* (2017) Multiple Nav1.5 isoforms are functionally expressed in thebrain and present distinct expression patterns compared with cardiac Nav1.5. Mol Med Rep. 16(1):719-729.

13.   Yang Y, Liu L, Luo H, Li Y, Li H, Xu ZQD*(2017) Characterization of the Rat GAL2R Promoter: Positive Role of ETS-1 inRegulation of the Rat GAL2R Gene in PC12 Cells. Mol Neurobiol. 54(6):4421-4431.

14.   Yang Y*, Li Y, Di F, Cui J, Wang Y, XuZQD* (2017) Pokemon decreases the transcriptional activity of RARα in theabsence of ligand. Biol Chem. 398(3):331–340.

15.   Li Y, Mei Z, Liu S, Wang T, Li H, Li X-X,Han S, Yang Y, Li J, Xu ZQD* (2017) Galanin Protects from Caspase-8/12-initiated Neuronal Apoptosis in the Ischemic Mouse Brain viaGalR1. Aging Dis. 8(1):85-100.

16.   Wang P, Li H, Barde S, Zhang MD, Sun J, WangT, Zhang P, Luo H, Wang Y, Yang Y, Wang C, Svenningsson P, TheodorssonE, Hökfelt TG*, Xu ZQD* (2016) Depression-like behavior in rat:Involvement of galanin receptor subtype 1 in the ventral periaqueductal gray. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 113(32):E4726-35.

17.   YangYT*, Cui J, Xue F, Overstreet A-M, Zhang Y, Shan D, Li H, Li H, Wang Y,Zhang M, Yu CJ, Xu ZQD* (2016) Resveratrol represses Pokemon expressionin human glioma cells. Mol Neurobiol. 53(2):1266-78.

18.   Yang YT*, Cui JJ, Xue F, Zhang CF, Mei Z, WangY, Bi MJ, Shan DP, Meredith A, Xu ZQD* (2015) Pokemon (FBI-1) interacts with Smad4 to repress TGF-β-induced transcriptional responses. Biochim Biophys Acta (BBA - Gene Regulatory Mechanisms) 1849(3):270-281

19.    Liu LN, Zhu FP, Song MY, ZhangB*, Kuo ST, Liu W, Li ML, Zhou L, Jiao RY, Liu B, Zhang XY, Wang CH, Wang SR,Yang H, Zhou Z* and Xu ZQD* (2014) Effect of cocaine on ion channels and glutamatergic EPSCs in noradrenergic locus coeruleus neurons. J Mol Neurosci  53(3):345-51

20.    Wang Y-J, Yang Y-T, Li H,Wang C-Y, Xu ZQD* (2014) Plasma galanin is a biomarker for symptom severity of major depressive disorder. Int JPsychiat Med 48(2):109-119

21.    Pan N, Bai Y, Yang Y-T,Hokfelt T, Xu ZQD*, Activation of galanin receptor 2 stimulates large conductance Ca2+-dependent K+ (BK) channels through the IP3 pathway in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells, Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 446(1):316-21.

22.    Wang YJ, Li H, Yang YT, Tie C, Li F, Xu ZQD*,Wang CY* (2013) Association of Galanin and Major Depressive Disorder in the Chinese Han Population. PLoS ONE 8 (5):e64617

23.    Li H, Wang YJ, Yang YT, Zhang M, Zhang D, Wang C, XuZQD* (2013) Lack of association between dendritic cell nuclear protein-1gene and major depressive disorder in the Han Chinese population. Prog Neuro-Psychoph 45:7–10.

24.    Wang YJ, Yang Y, Li H, Tie C, Li F, Xu ZQD*, WangC* (2013) A Neuropeptide Y Variant (rs16139) Associated with Major Depressive Disorder in Replicate Samples from Chinese Han Population. PLoS ONE 8(2): e57042.

25.    Wardi-Le Maîtrea T*, Xia S, Le MaîtreaE, Dun XP, Lu J, Ögrena SO, Hökfelt T, Xu ZQD (2011) Galaninreceptor 2 overexpressing (GalR2OE) mice display an antidepressive-like phenotype:Possible involvement of the subiculum. Neuroscience190:270-88.

26.    Fu W, Le Maıtre E, Fabre V, Bernard JF, Xu ZQD*, Hökfelt T* (2010) Chemical neuroanatomy ofthe dorsal raphe nucleus and adjacent structures of the mouse brain. J Comp Neurol 518:3464–94.

27.    Xia S，Dun X-P，Hu P-S, Kjaer S, Zheng K, Qian Y, Solén C, Xu T,Fredholm B, Hökfelt T*, and Xu ZQD* （2008）Postendocytotic traffic of the galanin R1 receptor: a lysosomal signalmotif on the cytoplasmic terminus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 105:5609-13.

28.   Xu ZQD*, Zhang X, Scott L (2007) Regulation of G protein-coupled receptor trafficking. Acta Physiology 190:39-45

29.  Zheng K, Kuteeva E, Xia S, Bartfai T, Hökfelt T, Xu ZQD* (2005): Age-related impairments of synaptic plasticity in the lateral perforant path input to the dentate gyrus of galanin overexpressing mice. Neuropeptides.39:259-67.

30.   Xia S, Kjaer S, Zheng K, Hu PS, Xu T, Hökfelt T, Xu ZQD* (2005) Constitutive and ligand-induced internalization of EGFP-tagged  galanin R2 and Rl receptors in PC12 cells. Neuropeptides39:173-8.

31.   Xia S, Kjaer S, Kang Z, Hu P-S, Bai L, Jia J, Rigler R, PramanikA, Xu T, Hökfelt T, Xu ZQD* (2004) Visualization of a functionally enhanced GFP-tagged galanin R2 receptor in PC12 cells: Constitutive and ligand-induced internalization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 101:15207-12

32.    Ma X, Tong Y-G, Schmidt R, Brown W, PayzaK, Hodzic L, Pou C, Godbout C, Hökfelt T, XuZQD* (2001) Effects of galanin receptor agonists on locus coeruleus neurons. Brain Res 919:169-174.

33.   Xu ZQD*, Tong Y-G,Hökfelt T (2001) Galanin enhances noradrenaline-induced outward current on locus coeruleus noradrenergic neurons. Neuroreport 12:1779-82.

34.   Xu ZQD*, Ma X,Soomets U, Langel U, Hökfelt T (1999) Electrophysiological evidence for a hyperpolarizing, galanin (1-15)-selective receptor on hippocampal CA3 pyramidalneurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 96:14583-7.

35.   Xu ZQD*, Bartfai T,Langel U, Hökfelt T (1998): Effects of three galanin analogs on the outward current evoked by galanin in locus coeruleus. Ann N Y Acad Sci863:459-465.

36.   Xu ZQD*, de Vente J, Steinbusch H, Grillner S, Hökfelt T(1998) The NO-cGMP pathway in the rat locus coeruleus: electrophysiological,immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization studies. Eur J Neurosci10:3508-3516

37.   Xu ZQD, Zhang X,Pieribone VA, Grillner S, Hökfelt T* (1998) Galanin-5-hydroxytryptamine interactions: electrophysiological, immunohistochemical and in situhybridization studies on rat dorsal raphe neurons with a note on galanin R1 andR2 receptors. Neuroscience 87:79-94

38.   Xu ZQD, Shi TJ, HökfeltT* (1998) Galanin/GMAP- and NPY-like immunoreactivities in locus coeruleus and noradrenergic nerve terminals in the hippocampal formation and cortex withnotes on the galanin-R1 and -R2 receptors. J Comp Neurol 392:227-251

39.   Xu ZQD, Lew JY, HaradaK, Aman K, Goldstein M, Deutch A, Haycock JW, Hökfelt T* (1998) Immunohistochemical studies on phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase incentral catecholamine neurons using site- and phosphorylation state-specificantibodies. Neuroscience 82:727-38

40.   Xu ZQD, Zhang X,Grillner S, Hökfelt T (1997) Electrophysiological studies on rat dorsal root ganglion neurons after peripheral axotomy: changes in responses to neuropeptides. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 94:13262-6

41.   Xu ZQD* and Hökfelt T(1997) Expression of galanin and nitric oxide synthase in subpopulations ofserotonin neurons of the rat dorsal raphe nucleus. J Chem Neuroanat13:169-87.

42.   Xu ZQ, Shi TJ, LandryM, Hökfelt T* (1996) Evidence for galanin receptors in primary sensory neurones and effect of axotomy and inflammation. Neuroreport 20;8:237-242.

43.   Xu ZQ, Shi TJ, HökfeltT* (1996) Expression of galanin and a galanin receptor in several sensory systems and bone anlage of rat embryos. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A93:14901-14905

44.   Zhang X, Xu ZQ,Bao L, Dagerlind A, Hökfelt T* (1995) Complementary distribution of receptors for neurotensin and NPY in small neurons in rat lumbar DRGs and regulation ofthe receptors and peptides after peripheral axotomy. J Neurosci15:2733-47.

45.   Pieribone VA, XuZQ, Zhang X, Grillner S, Bartfai T, Hökfelt T* (1995) Galanin induces a hyperpolarization of norepinephrine-containing locus coeruleus neurons in the brainstem slice. Neuroscience 64:861-74.

46.   Xu ZQ, Pieribone VA,Zhang X, Grillner S, Hökfelt T* (1994) A functional role for nitric oxide inlocus coeruleus: immunohistochemical and electrophysiological studies. ExpBrain Res 98:75-83.