Chanyu Wang

I graduated with a Master of Science in Applied Psychology from Southern Medical University in 2022. During my master’s degree, I began exploring the field of cognitive neuroscience. I am interested in investigating the brain mechanisms related to mental disorders and their therapeutic effects using non-invasive neuroimaging techniques such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS).

Interests:

• fMRI
• fNIRS
• Rumination
• Emotion regulation
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Mental disorders

After joining Ghep Lab in October 2022, I started exploring the neural correlates of repetitive negative thinking (RNT) and the therapeutic effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), under the supervision of Prof. Chris Baeken.

Project 1 Combining Neurostimulation with Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Treat Rumination

Simultaneously, I am investigating the effects of combining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with a CBT-based intervention on emotion regulation in patients with high rumination, using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). These studies will be conducted over the next two years as part of my PhD research. My goal is to use emotion regulation tasks to identify deficiencies in the dlPFC’s involvement in different emotion regulation strategies among individuals with high rumination. Additionally, I aim to assess the therapeutic effects of combining CBT with tDCS for enhancing emotion regulation in these individuals.

Project 2 Exploring Emotion Regulation Strategy Deficiencies in High Ruminators: A fNIRS Study Focused on the dlPFC and Precuneus

In addition to the clinical study mentioned above, I am also interested in identifying any deficiencies in emotion regulation strategies among individuals with high rumination symptoms compared with healthy control. Using fNIRS, we will examine brain activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and the precuneus.

I welcome anyone interested in my research to reach out for further discussion and invite interns interested in my projects to participate. Please feel free to contact me at Chanyu.Wang@UGent.be.