Profile of Dr WONG, Man Lok Nichol 黃聞洛 - The Education University of Hong Kong


Assistant Professor	Department of Psychology
Member	Centre for Psychosocial Health

Contact

ORCiD

0000-0003-0050-7736

Phone

(852) 2948 7431

nmlwong@eduhk.hk

Address

10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong

Website

https://pappl.eduhk.hk/rich/web/person.xhtml?pid=300609&name=WONG, Man Lok Nichol

Scopus ID

56039025800

Research Interests

Dr Wong is interested in social and affective neuroscience and explores emotional processing through a transdiagnostic perspective across the adult lifespan. His research examines how affective circuits are reshaped by loneliness and depression, altered in autistic individuals, and adapted in older adults, aiming to develop targeted interventions for emotional well-being. Dr Wong mostly employs neuroimaging and behavioural studies in his research.

Personal Profile

Dr Nichol Wong received his PhD in Psychology from The University of Hong Kong and had his postdoctoral training at King’s College London. He then returned to The University of Hong Kong and worked as a Research Assistant Professor. Dr Wong is currently an Assistant Professor at The Education University of Hong Kong.

Research Interests

Research Outputs


Journal Publications Huang, Q., Chen, D., Pereira, A. C., Leonard, A., Ellis, C. L., Velthuis, H., Dimitrov, M., Ponteduro, F. M., Wong, N. M. L., Kowalewski, L., Pretzsch, C. M., Daly, E., Murphy, D. G. M., & McAlonan, G. M. (2026). Differential GABA dynamics across brain functional networks in autism. Communications Biology, 9, Article 283. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-026-09563-5 Dimitrov, M., Wong, N. M. L., Leaman, S., França, L. G. S., Valasakis, I., He, J., Lythgoe, D. J., Findon, J. L., Wichers, R. H., Stoencheva, V., Robertson, D. M., Blainey, S., Ivin, G., Holiga, S., Tricklebank, M. D., Batalle, D., Murphy, D. G. M., McAlonan, G. M., & Daly, E. (2025). μ opioid modulation of sensorimotor functional connectivity in autism: insights from a pharmacological neuroimaging investigation using tianeptine. Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science, 6(2), Article 100663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsgos.2025.100663 Leung, M.-K., Poon, K., Wong, N. M. L., Cheung, L.-H., & Lau, K.-W. (2025). From lonely to addicted: Exploring sex differences in the effect of online social support among university students in Hong Kong. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, Article 1654908. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1654908 Li, J., & Wong, N. M. L. (2025). The mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between pet ownership and human well-being. Scientific Reports, 15, Article 35899. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-19692-2 Jin, R. R., Wong, N. M. L., Ma, J., Fang, J.-T., Lin, C.-M., Toh, C. H., Wu, K.-Y., Hsu, J. L., Huang, C.-M., Lee, S. H., & Lee, T. M. C. (2025). A psychoneuroimmunological underpinnings of the relationship between childhood trauma, loneliness, and depression in older adults. Translational Psychiatry, 15, Article 328. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03547-5 Wong, N. M. L., & Lee, T. M. C. (2025). Evaluating the effects of a conditioning training paradigm on loneliness, socio-affective processing, and brain connectivity: A study protocol of a two-arm randomised controlled trial. BMC Psychology, 13, Article 975. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03342-3 Gu, Y., Wong, N. M. L., Chan, C. C. H., Wu, J., & Lee, T. M. C. (2025). The negative relationship between brain-age gap and psychological resilience defines the age-related neurocognitive status in older people. GeroScience. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01515-x Luo, J., Wong, N. M. L., Zhang, R., Wu, J., Shao, R., Chan, C. C. H., & Lee, T. M. C. (2025). A network analysis of rumination on loneliness and the relationship with depression. Nature Mental Health, 3, 46-57. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-024-00350-x Pereira, A. C., Leonard, A., Velthuis, H., Wong, N. M. L., Ponteduro, F. M., Dimitrov, M., Ellis, C. L., Kowalewski, L., Lythgoe, D. J., Rotaru, D.-G., Edden, R. A. E., Ivin, Glynis, Pretzsch, C. M., Daly, E., Murphy, D. G. M., & McAlonan, G. M. (2024). Frontal and occipital brain glutathione levels are unchanged in autistic adults. PLoS One, 19(8), Article e0308792. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308792 Zheng, E. Z., Wong, N. M. L., Yang, A. S. Y., & Lee, T. M. C. (2024). Evaluating the effects of tDCS on depressive and anxiety symptoms from a transdiagnostic perspective: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Translational Psychiatry, 14(1), 295. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-03003-w Liu, J. M., Gao, M., Zhang, R., Wong, N. M. L., Wu, J., Chan, C. C. H., & Lee, T. M. C. (2024). A machine-learning approach to model risk and protective factors of vulnerability to depression. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 175, 374-380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.04.048 Huang, Q., Ellis, C. L., Leo, S. M., Velthuis, H., Pereira, A. C., Dimitrov, M., Ponteduro, F. M., Wong, N. M. L., Daly, E., Murphy, D. G. M., Mahroo, O. A., & McAlonan, G. M. (2024). Retinal GABAergic alterations in adults with autism spectrum disorder. The Journal of Neuroscience, 44(14), e1218232024. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1218-23.2024 Huang, Q., Velthuis, H., Pereira, A. C., Ahmad, J., Cooke, S. F., Ellis, C. L., Ponteduro, F. M., Puts, N. A. J., Dimitrov, M., Batalle, D., Wong, N. M. L., Kowalewski, L., Ivin, G., Daly, E., Murphy, D. G. M., & McAlonan, G. M. (2023). Exploratory evidence for differences in GABAergic regulation of auditory processing in autism spectrum disorder. Translational Psychiatry, 13, 320. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-023-02619-8 Wu, J., Song, J., He, Y., Li, Z., Deng, H., Huang, Z., Xie, X., Wong, N. M. L., Tao, J., Lee, T. M. C., & Chan, C. C. H. (2023). Effect of Tai Chi on young adults with subthreshold depression via a stress-reward comlex: A randomized controlled trial. Sports Medicine - Open, 9(1), 90-13, Article 90. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-023-00637-w Gao, M., Wong, N. M. L., Lin, C., Huang, C.-M., Liu, H.-L., Toh, C.-H., Wu, C., Tsai, Y.-F., Lee, S.-H., & Lee, T. M. C. (2023). Multimodal brain connectome-based prediction of suicide risk in people with late-life depression. Nature Mental Health, 1, 100-113. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-022-00007-7 Hou, L., Lam, B. Y. H., Wong, N. M. L., Lu, W., Zhang, R., Ning, Y., & Lin, K. (2022). Integrity of cerebellar tracts associated with the risk of bipolar disorder. Translational Psychiatry, 12, Article 335. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-022-02097-4 Liu, Z., Wong, N. M. L., Shao, R., Lee, S.-H., Huang, C.-M., Liu, H.-L., Lin, C., & Lee, T. M. C. (2022). Classification of Major Depressive Disorder using Machine Learning on brain structure and functional connectivity. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 10, Article 100428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2022.100428 Wong, N. M. L., Mabel-Kenzie, S. T. S. T., Lin, C., Huang, C.-M., Liu, H.-L., Lee, S.-H., & Lee, T. M. C. (2022). Meta-analytic evidence for the cognitive control model of loneliness in emotion processing. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 138, Article 104686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104686 Wong, J. J., Wong, N. M. L., Chang, D. H. F., Qi, D., Chen, L., & Lee, T. M. C. (2022). Amygdala–pons connectivity is hyperactive and associated with symptom severity in depression. Communications Biology, 5 (1), Article 574. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-022-03463-0 Wong, N. M. L., Dipasquale, O., Turkheimer, F., Findon, J. L., Wichers, R. H., Dimitrov, M., Murphy, C. M., Stoencheva, V., Robertson D. M., Murphy, D. G., Daly, E., & McAlonan, G. M. (2022). Differences in social brain function in autism spectrum disorder are linked to the serotonin transporter: A randomised placebo-controlled single-dose crossover trial. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 36(6), 723-731. https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811221092509 Huang, Q., Pereira, A. C., Velthuis, H., Wong, N. M. L., Ellis, C. L., Ponteduro, F. M., Dimitrov, M., Kowalewski, L., Lythgoe, D. J., Rotaru, D., Edden, R. A. E., Leonard, A., Ivin, G., Ahmad, J., Pretzsch, C. M., Daly, E., Murphy, D. G. M., & McAlonan, G. M. (2022). GABAB receptor modulation of visual sensory processing in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder. Science Translational Medicine, 14(626), Article eabg7859. https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.abg7859 Zhang, R., Tam, S.-K. T. S., Wong, N. M. L., Wu, J., Tao, J., Chen, L., Lin, K., & Lee T. M. C. (2022). Aberrant functional metastability and structural connectivity are associated with rumination in individuals with major depressive disorder. NeuroImage: Clinical, 33, Article 102916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102916 Qi, D., Wong, N. M. L., Shao, R., Man, I. S. C., Wong, C. H. Y., Yuen, L. P., Chan, C. C. H., & Lee, T. M. C. (2021). Qigong exercise enhances cognitive functions in the elderly via an interleukin-6-hippocampus pathway: a randomized active-controlled trial. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 95, 381-390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2021.04.011 Wong, N. M. L., Findon, J. L., Wichers, R. H., Giampietro, V., Stoencheva, V., Murphy, C. M., Blainey, S., Ecker, C., Murphy, D. G., McAlonan, G. M., & Daly, E. (2020). Serotonin differentially modulates the temporal dynamics of the limbic response to facial emotions in male adults with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD): A randomised placebo-controlled single-dose crossover trial. Neuropsychopharmacology, 45, 2248-2256. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-020-0693-0 Wong, N. M. L., Shao, R., Wu, J., Tao, J., Chen, L., & Lee, T. M. C. (2019). Cerebellar neural markers of susceptibility to social isolation and positive affective processing. Brain Structure and Function, 224, 3339-3351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-019-01965-y Wong, N. M. L., Shao, R., Yeung, P. P. S., Khong, P.-L., Hui, E. S., Schooling, C. M., Leung, G. M., & Lee, T. M. C. (2019). Negative affect shared with siblings is associated with structural brain network efficiency and loneliness in adolescents. Neuroscience, 421, 39-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.09.028 Wong, N. M. L., Yeung, P., & Lee, T. M. C. (2018). A developmental social neuroscience model for understanding loneliness in adolescence. Social Neuroscience, 13(1), 94-103. https://doi.org/10.1080/17470919.2016.1256832 Wu, J., Geng, X., Shao, R., Wong, N. M. L., Tao, J., Chen, L., Chan, C. C. H., & Lee, T. M. C. (2018). Neurodevelopmental changes in the relationship between stress perception and prefrontal-amygdala functional circuitry. NeuroImage: Clinical, 20, 267-274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl.2018.07.022 Wong, N. M. L., Ma, E. P.-W., & Lee, T. M. C. (2017). The integrity of the corpus callosum mitigates the impact of blood pressure on the ventral attention network and information processing speed in healthy adults. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 9, Article 108. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2017.00108 Wong, N. M. L., Liu, H.-L., Lin, C., Huang, C.-M., Wai, Y.-Y., Lee, S.-H., & Lee, T. M. C. (2016). Loneliness in late-life depression: Structural and functional connectivity during affective processing. Psychological Medicine, 46(12), 2485-2499. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291716001033 Lee, T. M. C., Sun, D., Wong, N. M. L., Shao, R., Men, W., Ge, J., So, K.-F., Gao, J.-H., & Chan, C. C. H. (2015). A pontine region is a neural correlate of the human affective processing network. EBioMedicine, 2(11), 1799-1805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2015.10.020 Lin, K., Xu, G., Wong, N. M. L., Wu, H., Li, T., Lu, W., Chen, K., Chen, X., Lai, B., Zhong, L., So, K.-F., & Lee, T. M. C. (2015). A multi-dimensional and integrative approach to examining the high-risk and ultra-high-risk stages of bipolar disorder. EBioMedicine, 2(8), 919-928. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2015.06.027 Wong, N. M. L., Cheung, S.-H., Chan, C. C. H., Zeng, H., Liu, Y.-P., So, K.-F., & Lee, T. M. C. (2015). Diffusivity of the uncinate fasciculus in heroin users relates to their levels of anxiety. Translational Psychiatry, 5, Article e554. https://doi.org/10.1038/tp.2015.48 Wong, N. M. L. & Lee, T. M. C. (2013). Genetic and neural relationships underpinning impulsivity. International Journal of Psychological Research, 6, 80-93. https://doi.org/10.21500/20112084.722

Journal Publications
Huang, Q., Chen, D., Pereira, A. C., Leonard, A., Ellis, C. L., Velthuis, H., Dimitrov, M., Ponteduro, F. M., Wong, N. M. L., Kowalewski, L., Pretzsch, C. M., Daly, E., Murphy, D. G. M., & McAlonan, G. M. (2026). Differential GABA dynamics across brain functional networks in autism. Communications Biology, 9, Article 283. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-026-09563-5
Dimitrov, M., Wong, N. M. L., Leaman, S., França, L. G. S., Valasakis, I., He, J., Lythgoe, D. J., Findon, J. L., Wichers, R. H., Stoencheva, V., Robertson, D. M., Blainey, S., Ivin, G., Holiga, S., Tricklebank, M. D., Batalle, D., Murphy, D. G. M., McAlonan, G. M., & Daly, E. (2025). μ opioid modulation of sensorimotor functional connectivity in autism: insights from a pharmacological neuroimaging investigation using tianeptine. Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science, 6(2), Article 100663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsgos.2025.100663
Leung, M.-K., Poon, K., Wong, N. M. L., Cheung, L.-H., & Lau, K.-W. (2025). From lonely to addicted: Exploring sex differences in the effect of online social support among university students in Hong Kong. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, Article 1654908. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1654908
Li, J., & Wong, N. M. L. (2025). The mediating role of loneliness in the relationship between pet ownership and human well-being. Scientific Reports, 15, Article 35899. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-19692-2
Jin, R. R., Wong, N. M. L., Ma, J., Fang, J.-T., Lin, C.-M., Toh, C. H., Wu, K.-Y., Hsu, J. L., Huang, C.-M., Lee, S. H., & Lee, T. M. C. (2025). A psychoneuroimmunological underpinnings of the relationship between childhood trauma, loneliness, and depression in older adults. Translational Psychiatry, 15, Article 328. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-025-03547-5
Wong, N. M. L., & Lee, T. M. C. (2025). Evaluating the effects of a conditioning training paradigm on loneliness, socio-affective processing, and brain connectivity: A study protocol of a two-arm randomised controlled trial. BMC Psychology, 13, Article 975. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03342-3
Gu, Y., Wong, N. M. L., Chan, C. C. H., Wu, J., & Lee, T. M. C. (2025). The negative relationship between brain-age gap and psychological resilience defines the age-related neurocognitive status in older people. GeroScience. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01515-x
Luo, J., Wong, N. M. L., Zhang, R., Wu, J., Shao, R., Chan, C. C. H., & Lee, T. M. C. (2025). A network analysis of rumination on loneliness and the relationship with depression. Nature Mental Health, 3, 46-57. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-024-00350-x
Pereira, A. C., Leonard, A., Velthuis, H., Wong, N. M. L., Ponteduro, F. M., Dimitrov, M., Ellis, C. L., Kowalewski, L., Lythgoe, D. J., Rotaru, D.-G., Edden, R. A. E., Ivin, Glynis, Pretzsch, C. M., Daly, E., Murphy, D. G. M., & McAlonan, G. M. (2024). Frontal and occipital brain glutathione levels are unchanged in autistic adults. PLoS One, 19(8), Article e0308792. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0308792
Zheng, E. Z., Wong, N. M. L., Yang, A. S. Y., & Lee, T. M. C. (2024). Evaluating the effects of tDCS on depressive and anxiety symptoms from a transdiagnostic perspective: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Translational Psychiatry, 14(1), 295. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-03003-w
Liu, J. M., Gao, M., Zhang, R., Wong, N. M. L., Wu, J., Chan, C. C. H., & Lee, T. M. C. (2024). A machine-learning approach to model risk and protective factors of vulnerability to depression. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 175, 374-380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.04.048
Huang, Q., Ellis, C. L., Leo, S. M., Velthuis, H., Pereira, A. C., Dimitrov, M., Ponteduro, F. M., Wong, N. M. L., Daly, E., Murphy, D. G. M., Mahroo, O. A., & McAlonan, G. M. (2024). Retinal GABAergic alterations in adults with autism spectrum disorder. The Journal of Neuroscience, 44(14), e1218232024. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1218-23.2024
Huang, Q., Velthuis, H., Pereira, A. C., Ahmad, J., Cooke, S. F., Ellis, C. L., Ponteduro, F. M., Puts, N. A. J., Dimitrov, M., Batalle, D., Wong, N. M. L., Kowalewski, L., Ivin, G., Daly, E., Murphy, D. G. M., & McAlonan, G. M. (2023). Exploratory evidence for differences in GABAergic regulation of auditory processing in autism spectrum disorder. Translational Psychiatry, 13, 320. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-023-02619-8
Wu, J., Song, J., He, Y., Li, Z., Deng, H., Huang, Z., Xie, X., Wong, N. M. L., Tao, J., Lee, T. M. C., & Chan, C. C. H. (2023). Effect of Tai Chi on young adults with subthreshold depression via a stress-reward comlex: A randomized controlled trial. Sports Medicine - Open, 9(1), 90-13, Article 90. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-023-00637-w
Gao, M., Wong, N. M. L., Lin, C., Huang, C.-M., Liu, H.-L., Toh, C.-H., Wu, C., Tsai, Y.-F., Lee, S.-H., & Lee, T. M. C. (2023). Multimodal brain connectome-based prediction of suicide risk in people with late-life depression. Nature Mental Health, 1, 100-113. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-022-00007-7
Hou, L., Lam, B. Y. H., Wong, N. M. L., Lu, W., Zhang, R., Ning, Y., & Lin, K. (2022). Integrity of cerebellar tracts associated with the risk of bipolar disorder. Translational Psychiatry, 12, Article 335. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-022-02097-4
Liu, Z., Wong, N. M. L., Shao, R., Lee, S.-H., Huang, C.-M., Liu, H.-L., Lin, C., & Lee, T. M. C. (2022). Classification of Major Depressive Disorder using Machine Learning on brain structure and functional connectivity. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 10, Article 100428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2022.100428
Wong, N. M. L., Mabel-Kenzie, S. T. S. T., Lin, C., Huang, C.-M., Liu, H.-L., Lee, S.-H., & Lee, T. M. C. (2022). Meta-analytic evidence for the cognitive control model of loneliness in emotion processing. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 138, Article 104686. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104686
Wong, J. J., Wong, N. M. L., Chang, D. H. F., Qi, D., Chen, L., & Lee, T. M. C. (2022). Amygdala–pons connectivity is hyperactive and associated with symptom severity in depression. Communications Biology, 5 (1), Article 574. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-022-03463-0
Wong, N. M. L., Dipasquale, O., Turkheimer, F., Findon, J. L., Wichers, R. H., Dimitrov, M., Murphy, C. M., Stoencheva, V., Robertson D. M., Murphy, D. G., Daly, E., & McAlonan, G. M. (2022). Differences in social brain function in autism spectrum disorder are linked to the serotonin transporter: A randomised placebo-controlled single-dose crossover trial. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 36(6), 723-731. https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811221092509
Huang, Q., Pereira, A. C., Velthuis, H., Wong, N. M. L., Ellis, C. L., Ponteduro, F. M., Dimitrov, M., Kowalewski, L., Lythgoe, D. J., Rotaru, D., Edden, R. A. E., Leonard, A., Ivin, G., Ahmad, J., Pretzsch, C. M., Daly, E., Murphy, D. G. M., & McAlonan, G. M. (2022). GABAB receptor modulation of visual sensory processing in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder. Science Translational Medicine, 14(626), Article eabg7859. https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.abg7859
Zhang, R., Tam, S.-K. T. S., Wong, N. M. L., Wu, J., Tao, J., Chen, L., Lin, K., & Lee T. M. C. (2022). Aberrant functional metastability and structural connectivity are associated with rumination in individuals with major depressive disorder. NeuroImage: Clinical, 33, Article 102916. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102916
Qi, D., Wong, N. M. L., Shao, R., Man, I. S. C., Wong, C. H. Y., Yuen, L. P., Chan, C. C. H., & Lee, T. M. C. (2021). Qigong exercise enhances cognitive functions in the elderly via an interleukin-6-hippocampus pathway: a randomized active-controlled trial. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 95, 381-390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2021.04.011
Wong, N. M. L., Findon, J. L., Wichers, R. H., Giampietro, V., Stoencheva, V., Murphy, C. M., Blainey, S., Ecker, C., Murphy, D. G., McAlonan, G. M., & Daly, E. (2020). Serotonin differentially modulates the temporal dynamics of the limbic response to facial emotions in male adults with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD): A randomised placebo-controlled single-dose crossover trial. Neuropsychopharmacology, 45, 2248-2256. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-020-0693-0
Wong, N. M. L., Shao, R., Wu, J., Tao, J., Chen, L., & Lee, T. M. C. (2019). Cerebellar neural markers of susceptibility to social isolation and positive affective processing. Brain Structure and Function, 224, 3339-3351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-019-01965-y
Wong, N. M. L., Shao, R., Yeung, P. P. S., Khong, P.-L., Hui, E. S., Schooling, C. M., Leung, G. M., & Lee, T. M. C. (2019). Negative affect shared with siblings is associated with structural brain network efficiency and loneliness in adolescents. Neuroscience, 421, 39-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.09.028
Wong, N. M. L., Yeung, P., & Lee, T. M. C. (2018). A developmental social neuroscience model for understanding loneliness in adolescence. Social Neuroscience, 13(1), 94-103. https://doi.org/10.1080/17470919.2016.1256832
Wu, J., Geng, X., Shao, R., Wong, N. M. L., Tao, J., Chen, L., Chan, C. C. H., & Lee, T. M. C. (2018). Neurodevelopmental changes in the relationship between stress perception and prefrontal-amygdala functional circuitry. NeuroImage: Clinical, 20, 267-274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nicl.2018.07.022
Wong, N. M. L., Ma, E. P.-W., & Lee, T. M. C. (2017). The integrity of the corpus callosum mitigates the impact of blood pressure on the ventral attention network and information processing speed in healthy adults. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 9, Article 108. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2017.00108
Wong, N. M. L., Liu, H.-L., Lin, C., Huang, C.-M., Wai, Y.-Y., Lee, S.-H., & Lee, T. M. C. (2016). Loneliness in late-life depression: Structural and functional connectivity during affective processing. Psychological Medicine, 46(12), 2485-2499. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291716001033
Lee, T. M. C., Sun, D., Wong, N. M. L., Shao, R., Men, W., Ge, J., So, K.-F., Gao, J.-H., & Chan, C. C. H. (2015). A pontine region is a neural correlate of the human affective processing network. EBioMedicine, 2(11), 1799-1805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2015.10.020
Lin, K., Xu, G., Wong, N. M. L., Wu, H., Li, T., Lu, W., Chen, K., Chen, X., Lai, B., Zhong, L., So, K.-F., & Lee, T. M. C. (2015). A multi-dimensional and integrative approach to examining the high-risk and ultra-high-risk stages of bipolar disorder. EBioMedicine, 2(8), 919-928. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2015.06.027
Wong, N. M. L., Cheung, S.-H., Chan, C. C. H., Zeng, H., Liu, Y.-P., So, K.-F., & Lee, T. M. C. (2015). Diffusivity of the uncinate fasciculus in heroin users relates to their levels of anxiety. Translational Psychiatry, 5, Article e554. https://doi.org/10.1038/tp.2015.48
Wong, N. M. L. & Lee, T. M. C. (2013). Genetic and neural relationships underpinning impulsivity. International Journal of Psychological Research, 6, 80-93. https://doi.org/10.21500/20112084.722

Projects


tDCS-enhanced hypnosis and emotional processing: A proof-of-concept study Hypnosis is a recognised psychotherapy facilitating access to subconscious processes, underpinning its utility in pain management, anxiety, and emotional regulation. Hypnotisability, a stable neurobehavioural trait, is limited to approximately 15% of the population. Attempts to modify hypnotisability via pharmaceutical or psychological means have yielded mixed results, likely due to underlying neurocognitive differences. Neuroimaging studies indicate that hypnotisability is associated with prefrontal and anterior cingulate activations, mediated by executive control and salience networks. Highly hypnotisable individuals exhibit stronger functional connectivity between the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). Evidence also suggests cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the DLPFC can increase hypnotisability and deepen hypnotic experiences, and other inhibitory stimulation techniques applied to the DLPFC are also found to increase its connectivity with the dACC. Our meta-analysis confirms tDCS over the DLPFC effectively reduces depressive symptoms and improves emotion regulation. Whether it enhances hypnosis for emotional processing remains unclear. Investigation into moderating factors, such as attitudes toward hypnosis and emotional regulation, is also warranted. Project Start Year: 2026, Principal Investigator(s): WONG, Man Lok, Nichol
A multimodal investigation for the causal neurobehavioural evidence of socio-affective attention modulating the relationship between loneliness and depressed mood Depression is a very common form of mental health condition, leading to long-term functional impairments, suicidal behaviours and premature death. Loneliness has reached epidemic levels and is a leading cause of depression. By understanding the causal neuropsychological mechanisms of loneliness on depressed mood, there is an opportunity to shed light on their theoretical framework that is critical for potential translational applications. Study 1 will use a longitudinal design and investigate: (Q1) How the attention to socio-affective information is related to loneliness, depressed mood, and their longitudinal changes. Clarification of these processes will improve understanding of how loneliness may lead to depressed mood across time. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that facilitates the excitation or inhibition of the local neural activity. It can provide causal neurobehavioral evidence between the neural target and the psychosocial processes and behaviours. Furthermore, electroencephalography (EEG) can directly measure neuronal activity and dynamics at high temporal resolution. Therefore, to further understand the role of socio-affective attention in the association between loneliness and depressed mood, in study 2, we will perform a tDCS-EEG study with lonely individuals to evaluate: (Q2) Whether anodal tDCS of the left dlPFC has an effect on the attention to socio-affective information, loneliness, and depressed mood in relation to the brain connectivity in lonely people. Findings will provide casual neuropsychological evidence for left dlPFC and its connectivity underpinning the relations between them. Project Start Year: 2026, Principal Investigator(s): WONG, Man Lok, Nichol
Acute isolation in older adults: implications on the affective regulatory system Social isolation and loneliness are detrimental to our affective well-being, especially affecting older adults. Previous work has investigated their neuropsychological mechanisms but are mostly limited by observational correlations. Here, we propose to adopt an experimental approach and investigate how isolating older adults affect their affective regulatory brain circuits and socio-affective processing. We will use fMRI to measure brain activations and connectivity and address the following research questions: How do the functional neural correlates of older adults after isolation differ. And to what extent loneliness will be related to the neural correlates after isolation. We hyopthesise that isolation will be related to stronger limbic and default mode network (DMN) connectivity in older adults. The causal evidence generated from this project will deepen our understanding of an integrated neuro-psycho-social model of well-being, creating evidence-based contents for future development of interventions targeting both the behavioural and neural perspectives. Project Start Year: 2025, Principal Investigator(s): WONG, Man Lok, Nichol
Personalised transcranial direct current stimulation to reduce daily loneliness in people with subthreshold depression Objectives: To evaluate the effects of multi-session personalised tDCS on real-life loneliness, mood and depressiveness in people with subthreshold depression. Hypothesis to be tested: We test whether people would rate more positive for social stimuli immediately after and after 3 months of tDCS interventions; whether the tDCS interventions would reduce loneliness, negative mood, depression symptoms, bringing positive change to neural correlates; whether changes induced by personalised tDCS would be greater than the conventional tDCS; and whether the more positive ratings for social stimuli after tDCS interventions would be associated with the change in loneliness, mood, depression symptoms, and neural correlates. Design and subjects: A randomised controlled trial is proposed and subjects are individuals with subthreshold depression. Instruments: Validated tests and questionnaires will be used. Brain activations and connectivity will be acquired using a 3.0 Tesla MRI scanner. Interventions: Participants will be randomly allocated to either the personlised tDCS group (individualised stimulation site), the conventional tDCS group (F3 as stimulation site), or the sham control group to receive 10 sessions of tDCS. Main outcome measures: Loneliness, mood, depression symptoms, brain activations and connectivity are the main outcome measures. Data analysis: Linear mixed models will be setup with groups, days, timepoints (pre-, immediately after, and 3 months after intervention), and their interaction as fixed factors, subjects as random intercepts. Expected results: It is expected that both personalised and conventional tDCS will bring positive effects on people’s loneliness and depressiveness, with the effects larger in personalised tDCS. Project Start Year: 2024, Principal Investigator(s): WONG, Man Lok, Nichol
A novel conditioning approach to counter loneliness in adults Loneliness is a significant threat to people's health because it predisposes depression and increases mortality. Conventional belief is that loneliness can be measured by the number of social connections and can be treated by opportunities for social activities. We argue that loneliness is subjective, and existing interventions for loneliness have failed to hit the root of the problem – the altered socio-affective processing. Therefore, we will apply a novel paradigm of intervention grounded in the principles of conditioning in lonely adults, and investigate the change in their socio-affective processing, loneliness, depressive symptoms, and neural correlates. The outcome of this project will benefit the general population in promoting betterment of mental health and quality of life, bringing positive change to well-being. It will also generate in-depth understanding of how loneliness is tied to socio-affective processing and how loneliness can be reduced by applying principles of conditioning. Project Start Year: 2024, Principal Investigator(s): WONG, Man Lok, Nichol