Dr. Du integrates MRI/MRS advancements with translational neuroimaging to map biological abnormalities and identify biomarkers for neuropsychiatric disorders. His research focuses on the "immuno-oxidative" pathway, which links neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neurotransmission dysfunction to brain circuit disruptions. To investigate these mechanisms, his team is developing novel methods for quantifying in vivo glutamate, glutathione (GSH), and the redox balance of NAD+ and NADH. These techniques have been applied to schizophrenia research, aiming to track early disease progression and identify predictors for prodromal phases and disease transition.

Beyond schizophrenia, Dr. Du studies mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), emphasizing the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in disease onset. His lab has pioneered neuroimaging approaches to measure in vivo NAD+ and NADH, along with other mitochondrial markers, to assess brain metabolism. A key focus is evaluating the effects of nicotinamide riboside (NR), an NAD+ precursor on cognitive function in MCI and AD patients. Additionally, his research explores neuronal circuits and excitatory/inhibitory balance in psychotic and mood disorders, using neuroimaging to guide neuromodulation targets and assess functional and chemical changes following treatment.