Dr Benson LAU Associate Professor
BSc (Hon), MMedSc, MPhil, PhD (Hong Kong), MRSB

Location ST507
Phone +852 2766 6712
mail benson.lau@polyu.edu.hk

Open Platform for University Scholars
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Biography After the completion of his undergraduate degree in occupational therapy, Dr Lau further pursued his postgraduate studies at the University of Hong Kong. During his research training, he found a particular interest in the biological basis of behaviour, which later became his major research theme. After obtaining the PhD degree, Dr Lau continued his research work of behavioral neuroscience in the department of anatomy at HKU as a postdoctoral fellow.
The research interest of Dr Lau is to elucidate the importance of neuroplasticity in emotions and behaviors. Using animal models which simulate emotional and behavioural symptoms including depression, anxiety, phobia and sexual dysfunction, Dr. Lau’s study explore the neurological basis of these symptoms and the mechanisms underlying the respective treatment methods, especially rehabilitation treatment modalities.
Dr Lau’s works show that intact adult neurogenesis (production of new neurons in the adult brain) is required for male rats to display normal emotional and sexual behavior, while the new neurons may be important in mediating pro-sexual or therapeutic effect of pharmaceutical agents. These pre-clinical findings will help to define new potential therapeutic target, to facilitate the development of new treatment options of neurological/psychiatric conditions and to provide scientific basis of current treatment methods.




Education and Academic Qualifications Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Hong Kong
Master of Medical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong
Master of Philosophy, The University of Hong Kong
Bachelor of Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University




Research Interests
Neurogenesis
Neurological basis of Emotion and Behaviors
Mechanisms of rehabilitative treatment
Neuroplasticity



Research Output

Publications
SANCHEZ-VIDANA Dalinda Isabe, CHAN Jackie Ngai-Man, CHAN Alan H.L., HUI Katy K.Y., SEE Sylvia SP, CHAN Hoi-Yi, LAW Yuen-Shan, SZE Mei-Yi, TSUI Sarah Wei-Ching, FUNG Timothy Kai-Hang, LAU Benson Wui-Man*, LAI Cynthia Yuen-Yee. (2016). Repeated treatment with oxytocin promotes hippocampal cell proliferation, dendritic maturation and affects socio-emotional behavior. Neuroscience, in Press. *: Corresponding author.
Lee CD, Yau SY, Lee TMC, Lau BWM*, So KF* (2016). Voluntary wheel running reverses the decrease of subventricular zone cell proliferation caused by corticosterone. Cell Transplantation, in Press. *: Co-Corresponding authors.
Leung, J. W. H.^, Lau, B. W. M.^, Chan, V. S. F., Lau, C. S., & So, K. F. (2016). Abnormal increase of neuronal precursor cells and exacerbated neuroinflammation in the corpus callosum in murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus. Restorative neurology and neuroscience, 34(3):343-353. ^: Co-first author
Po, K. T., Siu, A. M. H., Lau, B. W. M.*, Chan, J. N. M., So, K. F., & Chan, C. C. (2015). Repeated, high-dose dextromethorphan treatment decreases neurogenesis and results in depression-like behavior in rats. Experimental brain research, 233(7), 2205-2214. *: Corresponding author
Ruan, L.^, Lau, B. W. M.^, Wang, J., Huang, L., ZhuGe, Q., Wang, B., ... & So, K. F. (2014). Neurogenesis in neurological and psychiatric diseases and brain injury: from bench to bedside. Progress in neurobiology, 115, 116-137. ^: Co-first author