Steele Lab

The Steele Lab combines transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and neuroimaging research techniques with the goal of developing novel treatments for substance use disorders (SUDs).

Current studies involve targeting dysregulated circuits in SUD with TMS to elicit neuroplastic change and identify malleable circuits that, with chronic treatment, could lead to positive long-term outcomes treating SUDs. Acute and chronic neuroplasticity is assessed with both electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). 

Click here to participate in the studies at Steele Lab.

Steele Lab Director

Vaughn R Steele, PhD

Director,
Steele Lab
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry,
Yale University School of Medicine

Team Members

Dongyu Kang

Dongyu Kang LinkedIn profile

Post-Doctoral Fellow

Dr. Dongyu earned his Ph.D. in Psychiatry and Mental Health from Central South University in 2024. He initially joined the Steele Lab as a visiting scholar in spring 2023 and later transitioned to a postdoctoral researcher position. His research interests focus on advancing neuroimaging and electrophysiology, with a particular emphasis on developing non-invasive neuromodulation for individuals with psychotic disorders. Outside of his research, Dongyu enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, and exploring music.

Email: Dongyu.Kang@hhchealth.org

Cecelia Petrarca



Clinical Research Associate I

Cecelia earned her BS in Biobehavioral Health with a minor in Psychology from Penn State University in May 2023. In January 2024, she joined both the AMFM and Steele Lab to work on the “Modulating Temporoparietal Junction Mentalizing-Related Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorder using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation” study. She is eager to gain valuable research experience in this position, and plans to attend Physician Assistant school in the future. In her free time, Cecelia loves listening to music, traveling, reading, and spending time with her friends. 

Email: Cecelia.Petrarca@hhchealth.org

Jack Carr



Clinical Research Assistant

Jack earned his B.S. in Neuroscience from Trinity College in May of 2025. He joined the Steele Lab that June and is excited to gain experience in research. In his free time, Jack enjoys rowing, skiing, and running. 

Email: Jack.Carr@hhchealth.org

 

Anne Uhm



Clinical Research Assistant

Anne earned her MPH in Epidemiology from the University of South Florida in 2023. She joined the Steele Lab in May 2026 to gain more knowledge and hands-on experience in research. She plans on pursuing a Ph.D. in Epidemiology in the near future. In her free time, Anne likes to read, crochet, play video games, explore new restaurants, and spend time with friends and family. 

Email: Anne.Uhm@hhchealth.org 

 

Guo Yu



Research Volunteer

Guo Yu completed her MSc. in Cognitive & Computational Neuroscience from the University of Sheffield in 2023. In October 2024, she joined Steele Lab as a volunteer, assisting in data processing. She’s passionate about exploring TMS-induced neuroplasticity in substance use disorder. Guo Yu enjoys cooking, hiking, and gardening.  

Email: Guo.Yu@hhchealth.org 

Current Research Projects

Modulating Temporoparietal Junction Mentalizing-Related Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorder using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

A core characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a deficit in mentalizing (our ability to create mental representations of others), which we have identified an underlying neural network with our pilot functional magnetic resonance imaging data. This proposal is a robust investigation into modulating this network with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation sequences to uncover the optimal method to target and modulate the mentalizing network activity in ASD. Validating this neural mechanism in ASD is a necessary first step toward assessing the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in modulating social behaviors in this group in future clinical studies.To participate click here.

Anti-epileptic, not anti-TMS? Efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation in an opioid use disorder sample prescribed gabapentin

TMS research universally excludes individuals taking anti-epileptic medication based on the assumption that it will dim the effect of neurostimulation. However, this effects of gabapentin on TMS efficacy has never been formally tested. This study hopes to provide pilot evidence to help substantiate whether or not anti-epileptic medications should or should not be allowed for TMS research. We are recruiting individuals currently taking methadone and gabapentin. To participate click here


Functional Connectivity Mechanisms of Opioid Abstinence

This project examines functional connectivity patterns associated with subsequent relapse to illicit opioids during treatment for OUD. This is critical to improve understanding of brain mechanisms of relapse and is essential precursor to the development of improved, evidence-based interventions based on known neurobiology. We are recruiting individuals newly taking methadone or buprenorphine.  To participate click here

Recent Publications

2026

Imperio, C. G., Parmon, E., Steele, V. R., Blevins, D., Chalme, R., Wai, J. M., Brady, K., Heilig, M., Hanlon, C. A., Levin, F. R., & Martinez, D. (2026). Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in cocaine use disorder and the risk of seizure: A review of the evidence. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 17, 1748184.

Souki, A., Sharifzadeh, S., Brady, K., Hanlon, C. A., Jha, M. C., Lim, K. O., Rakesh, G., Young, J. R., Steele*, V. R., Tang*, V. M., & Ekhtiari*, H. (in press). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in substance use disorders is safe and tolerable: A systematic review of 141 clinical trials including 4,299 participants. Drug and Alcohol Dependence

Wang, Z., Sheng, R., Shi, R., Zou, Z., Steele, V. R., Guo, X., Yuan, T-F. (in press). Acute and long-term effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in major depressive episodes: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized sham-controlled trials. BMX Medicine.

2025

Michel†*, A., Kang†*, D., Fillingim, R. B., Balderston, N. L., Bond, D. S., & Steele, V. R. (2025). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for substance use disorders and chronic pain: A review of the evidence and call for increased mechanistic understanding. Current Addiction Reports, 12(1), 1-35. 

Bond, D. S., Papasavas, P. K., Raynor, H. A., Grilo, C. M., Wu, Y., Kang, D., & Steele, V. R. (2025). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Reducing Food Reinforcement in Patients Pursuing Metabolic Bariatric Surgery: A Within-Participants Sham-Controlled Pilot Trial. Obesity Surgery, 1-4.

Stam, C. H., van der Veen, F. M., Steele, V. R., & Franken, I. H. (2025). Tobacco smoking is associated with attenuated error monitoring. Biological Psychology, 109075

Stryjewski, A. M., Chung, T. J., McCurdy, L. Y., Spitzen, T. L., Zhang, K., Morie*, K. P., Steele*, V. R., Crowley*, M. J., & Potenza*, M. N. (2025). Study protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial of transcranial direct current stimulation paired with reappraisal training for treatment of cannabis use disorder. PLoS One, 20(8), e0328205.

Steele, V. R., Addicott, M. A., Addolorato, G., Baker, T., Bonci, A., Brady, K. T., Daughters, S. B., Diana, M., Durazzo, T. C., Ekhtiari, H., Fecteau, S., Fede, S. J., Froeliger, B., Gallimberti, L., Garza-Villerreal, E. A., George, T. P., Goudriaan, Heilig, M., Kang, D., Kearny-Ramos, T. E., Li, X., Lile, J. A., Madeo, G., Madore, M., Martinez, D., McCalley, D. M., Montemitro, C., Padula, C. B., Petersen, N., Pettorruso, M., Rakesh, G., Salmeron, B. J., Sahlem, G. L., Sanna, A., Shutz, C. G., Shellekens, A., Sheffer, C. E., Soleimani, G., Spagnolo, P. A., Stein, E. A., Trivedi, M., Ward, H. B., Wesley, M. J., Young, J. R., Yuan, K., Yuan, T-F. , Zangen, A., Zhao, D., Zhao, M., & Hanlon, C. A. (2025). Toward Inclusive, Evidence-Based rTMS Care for Patients with Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders.American Journal of Psychiatry. 182(12), 1095-1096.

2024 

Mehta, D. D., Praecht, A., Ward, H. B., Sanches, M, Sorkhou, M., Tang, V. M., Steele, V. R., Hanlon, C. A., George, T. P. (2024). A systematic review and meta-analysis of neuromodulation therapies for substance use disorders. Neuropsychopharmacology, 49(4), 649-680.

Sangchooli, A., Zare-Bidoky, M., Jouzdani, A. F., Schacht, J., Bjork, J. M., Claus, E. D., Prisciandaro, J. J., Wilson, S. J, Wüstenberg, T., Potvin. S., Ahmadi, P., Bach, P., Baldacchino, A., Beck, A., Brady, K. T., Brewer, J. A., Childress, A. R., Courtney, K. E., Ebrahimi, M., Filbey, F. M., Garavan, H.,  Ghahremani, D. G, Goldstein, R. Z., Goudriaan, A. E., Grodin, E. N., Hanlon, C. A., Haugg, A., Heilig, M., Heinz, A., Holczer, A., Van Holst, R. J., Joseph, J. E., Juliano, A. C., Kaufman, M. J., Kiefer. F., Zonoozi, A. K., Kuplicki, R. T., Leyton, M., London, E. D., Mackey, S., McClernon, F. J., Mellick, W. H., Morley, K., Noori, H. R., Oghabian, M. A., Oliver, J. A., Owens, M., Paulus, M. P., Perini, I., Rafei, P., Ray, L. A., Sinha, R., Smolka, M. N., Soleimani, G., Spanagel, R., Steele, V. R., Tapert, S. F., Vollstädt-Klein, S., Wetherill, R. R., Witkiewitz, K., Yuan, K., Zhang, X., Verdejo-Garcia, A., Potenza, M. N., Janes, A. C., Kober, H., Zilverstand, A., Ekhtiari, H., Addiction Cue-Reactivity Initiative (2024). Parameter space and potential for biomarker development in 25 years of fMRI drug cue reactivity: A systematic review. JAMA Psychiatry, 81(4), 414-425.

Mehta, D., Siddiqui, S., Ward, H. B., Steele, V. R., Pearlson, G.D., George, T.P. (2024). Functional and structural effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for the treatment of auditory verbal hallucinations in schizophrenia: A systematic review of rTMS-neuroimaging studies. Schizophrenia Research, 267, 86-98. Neuropsychopharmacology Editors' Award for a Transformative Original Report (NEATOR). 

Kang, T., Zhang, Y., Zhao, J, Li, X, Jiang, H., Niu, X., Xie, R., Ding, X., Steele*, V. R., & Yuan*, T-F. (2024). Characterizing impulsivity in individuals with heroin use disorder. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 22, 1530-1545.

LoFaro, F. M., Jordan, T., Apostol, M. R., Steele, V. R., Konova, A. B., & Petersen, N. (2024). Stimulating the posterior parietal cortex reduces risk-taking propensity in people with tobacco use disorder. Addiction Neuroscience, 12, 100160.

Steele, V. R., Rotenberg, A., Philip, N. S., Hallett, M., Stein, E. A., & Salmeron, B. J. (2024).  Tremor in the placebo condition of a blinded clinical trial of intermittent theta-burst stimulation for cocaine use disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry – Neurostimulation, 15, 1391771.

2023

Bond, D. S., Papasavas, P. K., Raynor, H. A., Grilo, C. M. & Steele, V. R. (2023). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Reducing the Relative Reinforcing Value of Food in Adult Patients with Obesity Pursuing Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: Protocol for A Within-Participants Sham-Controlled Pilot Trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 12(1), e50714. 

Kang, D. Baker, T. E., & Steele, V. R. (2023). Editorial: New discoveries in the field of brain stimulation and addiction disorders. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 17, 133773.

Kang, T., Zhang, Y., Jiang, H., Xie, R., Zhao, J., Steele, V. R., Ding, X., & Yuan, T-F. (in press). Characterizing impulsivity in heroin use disorder. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction.

Bond, D. S., Papasavas, P. K., Raynor, H. A., Grilo, C. M. & Steele, V. R. (in press). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Reducing the Relative Reinforcing Value of Food in Adult Patients with Obesity Pursuing Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: Protocol for A Within-Participants Sham-Controlled Pilot Trial. JMIR Research Protocols.

2022

Johnstone S., Sorkhou M., Al-Saghir N., Lowe Darby J. E., Steele V. R., Pearlson G. D., Castle D. J., George T. P. (2022). Neuromodulation to Treat Substance Use Disorders in People With Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Psychiatry: 13, https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.793938343/full

Ekhtiari, H., Zare-Bidoky, M., Sangchooli, A., Janes, A., Kaufman, M., Oliver, J., Prisciandaro, J., Wüstenberg, T., Anton, R., Bach, P., Baldacchino, A., Beck, A., Biorks, J., Brewer, J., Childress, A., Claus, E., Courtney, K., Ebrahimi, M., Filbey, F., Ghahremani, D., Ghobadi-Azbari, P., Goldstein, R., Goudrian, A., Grodin, E., Hamilton, P, Hanlon, C., Abharian, P., Heinz, A., Joseph, J., Kiefer, F., Khojasteh Zonoozi, A., Kober, H., Kuplicki, R., Li, Q., London, E., McClernon, J., Noori, H., Owens, M., Paulus, M., Perini, I., Potenza, M., Potvin, S., Ray, L., Schacht, J., Seo, D., Sinha, R., Smolka, M., Spanagel, R., Steele, V. R., Stein, E. A., Loeber, S., Tapert, S., Verdejo-Garcia, A., Vollstaedt-Klein, S., Wetherill, R., Wilson, S., Witkiewitz, K., Yuan, K., Zhang, X., and Zilverstand, A. (2022). A Methodological Checklist for fMRI Drug Cue Reactivity Studies: A Consensus Statement. Nature Protocols, 17, 567-595.

2021

Steele, V. R. (2021). A Circuit-Based Approach to Treating Substance Use Disorders With Noninvasive Brain Stimulation. Biological Psychiatry, 89(10), 944–946. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.03.021

Steele, V. R., & Maxwell, A. M. (2021). Treating cocaine and opioid use disorder with transcranial magnetic stimulation: A path forward. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 209, 173240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173240

Montry, K. M., Simmonite, M., Steele, V. R., Brook, M. A., Kiehl, K. A., & Kosson, D. S. (2021). Phonological processing in psychopathic offenders. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 168, 43–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2021.07.627

2020

Steele, V. R. (2020). Transcranial magnetic stimulation as an interventional tool for addiction. Frontiers in Neuroscience: Neural Technologies, 14, 592343https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2020.592343/full

Steele, V. R. (2020). Transcranial magnetic stimulation and addiction: Toward uncovering known unknowns. EBioMedicine, 57, 102839https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(20)30214-0/fulltext

Lee, M. R., Caparelli, E. C., Leff, M., Steele, V. R., Maxwell, A. M., McCullough, K., & Salmeron, B. J. (2020). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation delivered with an H-coil to the right insula reduces functional connectivity between insula and medial prefrontal cortex. Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface, 23(3), 384-392. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ner.13033


2019

Maurer, J. M., Steele, V. R., Vincent, G. M., Rao, V., Calhoun, V. D., & Kiehl, K. A. (2019). Adolescent psychopathic traits negatively related to hemodynamic activity within the basal ganglia during error-related processing. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 47(12), 1917-1929. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10802-019-00560-3

Steele, V. R., Maxwell, A. M., Ross, T. J., Stein, E. A., & Salmeron, B. J. (2019). Accelerated intermittent theta-burst stimulation as a treatment for cocaine use disorder: A proof-of-concept study. Frontiers in Neuroscience: Neural Technologies, 13, 1147. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2019.01147/full

Liu, Y., van den Wildenberg, W. P. M., de Graaf, Y., Ames, S. L., Baldacchino, A., Bø, R., Cadaveira, F., Campanella, S., Christiansen, P., Claus, E. D., Colzato, L. S., Filbey, F. M., Foxe, J. F., Garavan, H., Hendershot, C. S., Hester, R., Jester, J. R., Karoly, H. C., Kräplin, A., Kreusch, F., Landrø, N. I., Littel, M., Steins-Loeber, S., London, E. D., López-Caneda, E., Lubman, D. I., Luijten, M., Marczinski, C. A., Metrik, J., Montgomery, C., Papachristou, H., Park, S. M., Paz, A. L., Petit, G., Prisciandaro, J. J., Quednow, B. B., Ray, L. A., Roberts, C. A., Roberts, G. M. P., de Ruiter, M. B., Rupp, C. I., Steele, V. R., Sun, D., Takagi, M., Tapert, S. F., van Holst, R. J., Verdejo-Garcia, A., Vonmoos, M., Wojnar, M., Yao, Y., Yücel, M., Zack, M., Zucker, R. A., Huizenga, H. M., & Wiers, R. W. (2019). Is (poly-) substance use associated with impaired inhibitory control? A mega-analysis controlling for confounders. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 105, 288-304. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014976341830633X

Ekhtiari, H., Tavakoli, H., Addolorato, G., Baeken, C., Bonci, A., Campanella, S., Castelo-Branco, L., Challet-Bouju, G., Clark, V. P., Claus, E. D., Dannon, P. N., Del Felice, A., den Uyl, T., Diana, M., di Giannantonio, M., Fedota, J. R., Fitzgerald, P., Gallimberti, L., Grall-Bronnec, M., Herremans, S. C., Herrmann, M. J., Jamil, A., Khedr, E., Kouimtsidis, C., Kozak, K., Krupitsky, E., Lamm, C., Lechner, W. V., Madeo, G., Malmir, N., Martinotti, G., McDonald, W., Montemitro, C., Nakamura-Palacios, E., Nasehi, M., Noël, X., Nosratabadi, M., Paulus, M., Pettorruso, M., Pradhan, B., Praharaj, S. K., Rafferty, H., Sahlem, G., Salmeron, B. J., Sauvaget, A., Schluter, R. S., Sergiou, C., Shahbabaie, A., Sheffer, C., Spagnolo, P. A., Steele, V. R., Yuan, T-F., van Dongen, J., Van Waes, V., Venkatasubramanian, G., Verdejo-García, A., Verveer, I., Welsh, J., Wesley, M. J., Witkiewitz, K., Yavari, F., Zarrindast, M-R., Zawertailo, L., Zhang, X., Cha, Y-H., George, T. P., Frohlich, F., Goudriaan, A. E., Fecteau, S., Daughters, S., Stein, E. A., Fregni, F., Nitsche, M. A., Zangen, A., Bikson, M., Hanlon, C. A. (2019). Transcranial electrical and magnetic stimulation (tES and TMS) for addiction medicine: A consensus paper on the present state of the science and the road ahead. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 104, 118-140. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0149763419303070


* Denotes authors contributed equally

 Denotes first-author mentee
*For a full list of publications, see Google Scholar. Email Dr. Steele or the Steele Lab to request PDFs. 

Collaborators

Edward M. Bernat, PhD University of Maryland
Dale Bond Hartford Hospital
Godfrey Pearlson, MD 
Personnel Website

Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center
Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
Yale University School of Medicine

Michal Asaaf, MD Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center
Departments of Psychiatry, Yale University
Michael C. Stevens, PhD Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center
Departments of Psychiatry, Yale University
Sarah W. Yip, PhD, MSc Departments of Psychiatry, Yale University
Hedy Kober Departments of Psychiatry, Yale University
Wan-Ling Tseng, PhD  Yale School of Medicine
 

Olin Neuropsychiatry Research Center

         Lab Contct Info:

            Email:

            steele.lab@hhchealth.org

            Phone:

            860.545.7965