Xin-Min Li, MD, PhD

Dr. Xin-Min Li is a Professor and Ruth Hurd Chair in the Department of Psychiatry and Assistant Dean of the International Graduate Program at the University of Manitoba. Dr. Li is currently the Director of the Neuroscience Research Program at the Faculty of Medicine, and holds a cross appointment in the Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science. Dr. Li received his M.D. and PhD in Physiology at Norman Bethune University of Medical Sciences in Changchun, China and completed his residency in Psychiatry at University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Li completed postdoctoral training in the Department of Psychiatry at University of Saskatchewan and at Harvard University. Dr. Li began his academic career at University of Saskatchewan as Assistant Professor (1992) and was Director of the Neuropsychiatric Research Unit prior to moving to University of Manitoba in 2007.

Dr. Li’s research interests are primarily biological psychiatry. His research uses animal models to examine the role of white matter and neurodegeneration in mood disorders and schizophrenia using cellular, molecular, microMRI imaging, and behavioural assessment techniques.

He also studies the mechanisms of treatment in psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on the neuroprotective effects of antidepressants and atypical antipsychotics. His work includes research collaborations in North America and China.

Dr. Li has received research support from Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), Manitoba Health Research Council (MHRC), Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation (CPRF), Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, Schizophrenia Societies, as well as the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Li has a successful track record in developing successful strategic research partnerships and spearheaded the development of the highly successful Schizophrenia Research Program Partnership and the Anxiety and Depression Research Initiative.

Selected Publications:

1. Xu, H., Yan, H-J., McConomy, B., Browning, R., and Li, X-M. (2010) Behavioral and neurobiological changes in C57BL/6 mouse exposed to cuprizone: effects of antipsychotics. Frontiers of Behavioral Neuroscience. March 2010: Vol. 4 (8). 

2. Xu, H., Yang, H-J., Zhang, Y., Clough, R.W., Browning, R. A., and Li, X.-M. (2009). Behavioral and neurobiological changes in C57BL/6 mice chronically exposed to cuprizone. Behavioral Neuroscience, 123(2):418-429.

3. Yu, Y., He, J., Zhang, Y., Luo, H., Zhu, S., Yang, Y., Zhao, T., Wu, J., Huang, Y., Kong, J., Tan, Q., and Li, X-M. (2009). Increased hippocampal neurogenesis in the progressive stage of Alzheimer’s disease phenotype in an APP/PS1 double transgenic mouse model. Hippocampus 19(12):1247-53.

4. He, J., Luo, H., Yan, B., Yu, Y., Wang, H., Wei, Z., Zhang, Y., Xu, H., Tempier, A., Li, X., and Li, X.-M. (2009). Beneficial effects of quetiapine in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiology of Aging, 30(8):1205-1216.

5. He, J., Kong, J., Tan, QR., and Li, X-M., (2009). Neuroprotective effect of atypical antipsychotics in cognitive and non-cognitive behavioural impairment in animal models. Cell Adh Migr, 2009 3(1):129-137.

6. Zhang, Y., Xu, H., Jiang, W., Xiao, L., Yan, B., He, J., Wang, Y., Bi, X., Li, X., Kong, J., and Li, X.-M. (2008). Quetiapine alleviates the cuprizone-induced white matter pathology in the brain of C57BL/6 mouse. Schizophrenia Research 106(2-3):182-91.

7. Xiao, L, Xu, H, Zhang, Y, Wei, Z, Dyck, L, Devon, RM., He, J, Jiang, W, and Li, X-M (2008). Quetiapine facilitates oligodendrocyte development and prevents mice from myelin breakdown and behavioral changes. Molecular Psychiatry, 13(7):697-708.