Defensive behavior is a core innate behavior essential for the survival of all species. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder arising from neural circuit dysfunction, affecting nearly 1% of the global population. Epilepsy-induced defensive response deficits are closely linked to a significantly elevated rate of premature mortality caused by external factors, yet the core neural mechanisms remain elusive. Currently, technical tools such as neuroelectrophysiological recording, optogenetics, and trans-synaptic tracing techniques have greatly promoted the research on neural circuits. Based on these tools, our team is committed to designing and improving novel optoelectrode (electrode) arrays. Using in vivo optogenetic techniques with high spatiotemporal resolution and cell-type specificity in freely moving epileptic animal models, we systematically elucidate the neural circuit mechanisms by which epilepsy regulates defensive behavior, complete the anatomical and functional identification of neural circuits related to defensive behavior in epileptic animal models, identify cell-specific intervention targets for epilepsy-related behavioral disorders, and provide theoretical support for relevant clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Development of high spatiotemporal-resolution optoelectrode arrays based on optogenetic neuromodulation technology, biocompatible modification of optoelectrode/neural interfaces, and investigation of abnormal neural circuits related to neuropsychiatric disorders and innate emotions using optogenetic neuromodulation, neuroelectrophysiological recording and other techniques.

1. Kuoying Qiao#, Ge Wu#, Yi Cao#, Yiying Wu, Chongyang Sun, Jianyu Huang, Shuyang Yang, Cheng Zhong*, Haihan Zhou*, Yi Lu*. A Wireless, Implantable, and Stretchable Device for Optogenetic Modulation (WISDOM) in the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems. Advanced Optical Materials, 2026.

2. Jianyu Huang#, Chongyang Sun#, Qian Zhu, Ge Wu, Yi Cao, Jiarui Shi, Shuyu He, Luyao Jiang, Jianxiang Liao, Lin Li*, Cheng Zhong* and Yi Lu*.Phenotyping of FGF12AV52H mutation in mouse implies a complex FGF12 network. Neurobiology of Disease, 2024.

3. Shuyu He#, Chongyang Sun#, Qian Zhu#, Lin Li, Jianyu Huang, Ge Wu, Yi Cao, Jianxiang Liao, Yi Lu, Qiru Su, Sufang Lin*, Xiaopeng Ma* and Cheng Zhong*. A juvenile mouse model of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis by active immunizationA juvenile mouse model of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis by active immunization. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 2023.

4. Cheng Zhong#, Lulu Wang#, Yi Cao, Chongyang Sun, Jianyu Huang, Xufang Wang, Suwan Pan, Shuyu He, Kang Huang, Zhonghua Lu, Fuqiang Xu, Yi Lu*, and Liping Wang*. A neural circuit from the dorsal CA3 to the dorsomedial hypothalamus mediates balance between risk exploration and defense. Cell Reports, 2022.

5. Yi Cao#, Chongyang Sun#, Jianyu Huang, Peng Sun, Lulu Wang, Shuyu He, Jianxiang Liao, Zhonghua Lu, Yi Lu* and Cheng Zhong*. Dysfunction of the Hippocampal-Lateral Septal Circuit Impairs Risk Assessment in Epileptic Mice. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, 2022.

6. Yi Cao#, Suwan Pan#, Mengying Yan, Chongyang Sun, Jianyu Huang, Cheng Zhong*, Liping Wang* and Lu Yi*. Flexible and stretchable polymer optical fibers for chronic brain and vagus nerve optogenetic stimulations in free-behaving animals. BMC Biology, 2021.

7. Lulu Wang#, Cheng Zhong#, Dingning Ke, Fengming Ye, Jie Tu, Liping Wang*, and Yi Lu*. Ultrasoft and Highly Stretchable Hydrogel Optical Fibers for In Vivo Optogenetic Modulations. Advanced Optical Materials, 2018.

8. Yi Lu#, Cheng Zhong#, Lulu Wang, Pengfei Wei, Wei He, Kang Huang, Yi Zhang, Yang Zhan, Guoping Feng and Liping Wang*. Optogenetic dissection of ictal propagation in the hippocampal–entorhinal cortex structures. Nature Communications, 2016.

1. National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), General Program, Neural Circuit Mechanisms Underlying the Regulation of Feeding-Defense Interaction by the Dorsomedial Hypothalamus, 2025–2028, 500,000 RMB
2. Shenzhen Medical Research Special Fund, Young Scientists Program, Neural Circuit Mechanisms of Hypothalamic Involvement in Epilepsy-Induced Physiological Dysfunction, 2023–2026, 800,000 RMB
3. National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), General Program, Neural Mechanisms of the Hippocampus-Lateral Septum-Hypothalamus Circuit in the Regulation of Defense-Exploration Behavior Balance, 2022–2025, 580,000 RMB
4. Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, General Program, Dissecting the Neural Circuit Mechanisms of Fornix Electrical Stimulation in the Treatment of Refractory Epilepsy, 2022–2024, 100,000 RMB
5. National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Young Scientists Fund, Neural Circuit Mechanisms Underlying Abnormal Innate Fear Responses in Epileptic Animal Models, 2018–2020, 240,000 RMB
6. Shenzhen Science and Technology Program, Key Laboratory (Upgrading Project), Circuit Intervention Mechanisms of Paroxysmal Neuropsychiatric Disorders, 2014–2016, 500,000 RMB