1) NEURO-IMMUNOLOGICAL MODELLING OF AUTISM

The underlying natures of the cognitive impairment associated with autism remain unclear.  Our laboratory has been developing a neuro-immunological model for understanding the core autistic symptoms.  That is, to investigate the association between the abnormal brain electrical activity pattern and immunological weakness with the impulsive and perseverative behavior and memory problem of autism.

Publication:

Han, Y. M., Cheung, W. K., Wong, C. K., Sze, S. L., Cheng, T. W., Yeung, M. K., & Chan, A. S. (2017). Distinct Cytokine and Chemokine Profiles in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Frontiers in Immunology, 8.

Han, Y. M. Y., Cheung, M. C., Sze, S. L., & Chan, A. (2014). Altered immune function associated with neurophysiological abnormalities and executive function deficits in children with autism. In V. B. Patel, V. R. Preedy, C. Martin (Eds.), The Comprehensive Guide to Autism (pp.1611-1625). New York: Springer.

Han, Y. M. Y., Chan, A. S., Sze, S. L., Cheung, M. C., Wong, C. K., Lam, J. M. K., & Poon, P. M. K. (2013). Altered immune function associated with disordered neural connectivity and executive dysfunctions: A neurophysiological study on children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7, 662-674.

Han, Y., Leung, W., Wong, C. Lam, J., Cheung, M., & Chan, A. (2011). Lymphocyte subset alterations related to executive function deficits and repetitive stereotyped behavior in autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 486-494.

2) NEURO-COGNITIVE MODULATION

Based upon the brain plasticity model, we have developed and scientifically studied several neurocognitive modulation methods. A recent investigation is to integrate Chinese Chan medical concept as a possible neuropsychological intervention for individuals with autism, depression, epilepsy, and elderly with memory problems, as well as normal children and adults. Promising results have been reported on the effects of those methods in enhancing brain functions and altering brain electrical activity pattern. 

Publication:

Chan, A. S., Sze, S. L., Woo, J., & Yu, R. H. (2014). A Chinese Chan-based lifestyle intervention improves memory of older adults. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 6, 50, doi:10.3389/fnagi.2014.00050.

Yu, R., Woo, J., Chan, A. S., & Sze, S. L. (2014). A Chinese Chan-based mind-body intervention improves psychological well-being and physical health of community-dwelling elderly: A pilot study. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 9, 727-736.

Chan, A. S., Sze, S. L., & Han, Y. M. Y. (2014). An intranasal herbal medicine improves executive functions and activates the underlying neural network in children with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8, 681-691.

Chan, A. S., Han, Y. M. Y., & Cheung, M. C. (2014). Chinese Chan-based prospective neuropsychological intervention for autistic children. In V. B. Patel, V. R. Preedy, & C. R. Martin (Eds.), The Comprehensive Guide to Autism (pp.2333-2355). New York: Springer.

Chan, A. S., Han, Y. M. Y., Sze, S. L., Wong, Q. Y., & Cheung, M. C. (2013). A randomized controlled neurophysiological study of a Chinese Chan-based mind-body intervention in patients with major depressive disorder. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, Article ID 812096, doi:10.1155/2013/812096.

Chan, A. S., Sze, S. L., Siu, N. Y., Lau, E. M., & Cheung, M. C. (2013). A Chinese mind-body exercise improves self-control of children with autism: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS ONE, 8, e68184.

Chan, A., & Sze, S. L. (2013). Shaolin mind-body exercise as a neuropsychological intervention. In P. C. Leung, J. Woo, & W. Kofler (Eds.), Annals of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Health, Wellbeing, Competence and Aging (pp.201-211). New Jersey: World Scientific Publishing.

Chan, A. S., Wong, Q. Y., Sze S. L., Kwong, P. P. K., Han, Y. M. Y., & Cheung, M. C. (2012). A Chinese Chan-based mind-body intervention for patients with depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 142, 283-289.

Chan, A., Sze, S. L., Han, Y. M. Y., & Cheung, M. C. (2012). A Chan dietary intervention enhances executive functions and anterior cingulate activity in autism spectrum disorders: a randomized controlled trial. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012, Article ID 262136.

Chan, A., Wong, Q. Y., Sze, S. L., Kwong, P. P. K., Han, Y. M. Y., & Cheung, M. C. (2012). A Chinese Chan-based mind-body intervention improves sleep on patients with depression: a randomized controlled trial. The ScientificWorldJournal, doi:10.1100/2012/235206.

Chan, A. S., Sze, S. L., Cheung, M. C., Han, Y. M., Leung, W. W. & Shi, D. (2011) Dejian mind-body intervention improves the cognitive functions of a child with autism. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, doi:10.1155/2011/549254.

Chan, A. S., Cheung, M. C., Sze, S. L., Leung, W. W. & Shi, D. (2011). Shaolin Dan Tian breathing fosters relaxed and attentive mind: A randomized controlled neuro-electrophysiological study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, doi:10.1155/2011/180704.

Chan, A., Cheung, M.C., Sze, S., Leung, W. & Shi, D. (2011). An herbal nasal drop enhanced frontal and anterior cingulate cortex activity. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, doi:10.1093/ecam/nep198.

Chan, A. S., Cheung, M. C., Tsui, W. J., Sze, S. L. & Shi, D. (2011). Dejian mind-body intervention on depressive mood of community-dwelling adults: a randomized controlled trail. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, doi:10.1093/ecam/nep043.

Chan, A., Sze, S., Cheung, M. C., Lam, J. M. & Shi, D. (2009). Dejian mind-body intervention improves the functioning of a patient with chronic epilepsy: a case report. Cases Journal, 2, 9080, doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-9080.

Chan, A. , Sze, S., & Shi, D. (2008). Traditional Chinese mind-body exercises improve self control ability of an adolescent with Asperger’s disorder. Journal of Psychology in Chinese Societies, 9, 225-239.

3) NEURO-ELECTRICAL NEURAL NETWORK

Our laboratory has utilized electroencephalography (EEG) as a mean to understand the neural processing of various cognitive impairments. For instance, the underlying mechanism of impulse control associated with autism, memory problems associated with aging, and mental status of mood disorder. The coherence of the left-right frontal-posterior hemisphere and the source localization of electrical signals are two major investigating methods. 

Publication:

Han, Y. M., & Chan, A. S. (2017). Disordered cortical connectivity underlies the executive function deficits in children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 61, 19-31.

Yeung, M. K., Han, Y. M., Sze, S. L., & Chan, A. S. (2016). Abnormal frontal theta oscillations underlie the cognitive flexibility deficits in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders. Neuropsychology, 30(3), 281.

Yeung, M. K., Han, Y. M. Y., Sze, S. L., & Chan, A. S. (2014). Altered right frontal cortical connectivity during facial emotion recognition in children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8, 1567-1577.

Chan, A. S., Sze, S. L., & Han, Y. M. Y. (2014). An intranasal herbal medicine improves executive functions and activates the underlying neural network in children with autism. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 8, 681-691.

Han, Y. M. Y., Cheung, M. C., Sze, S. L., & Chan, A. (2014). Altered immune function associated with neurophysiological abnormalities and executive function deficits in children with autism. In V. B. Patel, V. R. Preedy, C. Martin (Eds.), The Comprehensive Guide to Autism (pp.1611-1625). New York: Springer.

Chan, A. S., Han, Y. M. Y., & Cheung, M. C. (2014). Chinese Chan-based prospective neuropsychological intervention for autistic children. In V. B. Patel, V. R. Preedy, & C. R. Martin (Eds.), The Comprehensive Guide to Autism (pp.2333-2355). New York: Springer.

Han, Y. M. Y., Chan, A. S., Sze, S. L., Cheung, M. C., Wong, C. K., Lam, J. M. K., & Poon, P. M. K. (2013). Altered immune function associated with disordered neural connectivity and executive dysfunctions: A neurophysiological study on children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 7, 662-674.

Chan, A. S., Han, Y. M. Y., Sze, S. L., Wong, Q. Y., & Cheung, M. C. (2013). A randomized controlled neurophysiological study of a Chinese Chan-based mind-body intervention in patients with major depressive disorder. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, Article ID 812096, doi:10.1155/2013/812096.

Chan, A. S., Sze, S. L., Siu, N. Y., Lau, E. M., & Cheung, M. C. (2013). A Chinese mind-body exercise improves self-control of children with autism: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS ONE, 8, e68184.

Chan, A., Sze, S. L., Han, Y. M. Y., & Cheung, M. C. (2012). A Chan dietary intervention enhances executive functions and anterior cingulate activity in autism spectrum disorders: a randomized controlled trial. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012, Article ID 262136.

Chan, A. S., Sze, S. L., Cheung, M. C., Han, Y. M., Leung, W. W. & Shi, D. (2011) Dejian mind-body intervention improves the cognitive functions of a child with autism. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, doi:10.1155/2011/549254.

Chan, A. S., Cheung, M. C., Sze, S. L., Leung, W. W. & Shi, D. (2011). Shaolin Dan Tian breathing fosters relaxed and attentive mind: A randomized controlled neuro-electrophysiological study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, doi:10.1155/2011/180704.

Chan, A., Han, W., Leung, W., Leung, C., Wong, V., & Cheung, M. (2011). Abnormalities in the anterior cingulate cortex associated with attentional and inhibitory control deficits: A neurophysiological study on children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 254-266.

Chan, A., Han, Y., Sze, S., Cheung, M. Leung, W., Chan, R & To, C. (2011). Disordered connectivity associated with memory deficits in children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 237-245.

Chan, A., Cheung, M.C., Sze, S., Leung, W. & Shi, D. (2011). An herbal nasal drop enhanced frontal and anterior cingulate cortex activity. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, doi:10.1093/ecam/nep198.

Chan, A. S., Cheung, M. C., Tsui, W. J., Sze, S. L. & Shi, D. (2011). Dejian mind-body intervention on depressive mood of community-dwelling adults: a randomized controlled trail. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, doi:10.1093/ecam/nep043.

Chan, A., Sze, S., Cheung, M. C., Lam, J. M. & Shi, D. (2009). Dejian mind-body intervention improves the functioning of a patient with chronic epilepsy: a case report. Cases Journal, 2, 9080, doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-9080.

Chan, A., Cheung, M., Han, Y., Sze, S., Leung, W. Man, H., & To, C. (2009). Executive function deficits and neural discordance in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Clinical Neurophysiology, 120, 1107-1115.

Chan, A. S., Han, Y. M., & Cheung, M. C. (2008). Electroencephalographic (EEG) measurements of mindfulness-based triarchic body-pathway relaxation technique: A pilot study. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 33, 39-47.

Chan, A. S., Sze, S. L., & Cheung, M. C. (2007). Quantitative electroencephalographic profiles for children with autistic spectrum disorder. Neuropsychology, 21(1), 74-81.

Chan, A. & Leung, W. (2006). Differentiating autistic children with quantitative encephalography: A 3-month longitudinal study. Journal of Child Neurology, 21, 391-399.