Research Projects
Shared and distinct patterns of cerebellar-related functional connectivity to anhedonia: A transdiagnostic approach for clinical and subclinical populations

Anhedonia refers to the inability to perceive pleasure and motivation to engage in enjoyable activities. As a complex construct, anhedonia includes processes in hedonic capacity, reinforcement learning, cost-benefit computation, and ability to plan and execute goal-directed behavior. Anhedonia is also a transdiagnostic symptom across schizophrenia (SCZ), major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD), and other psychiatric disorders. Besides, anhedonia exists in subclinical populations having high risk for developing related psychiatric disorders. 

This project adopts a transdiagnostic approach to examine the shared and distinct patterns of cerebellar-related functional connectivity in anhedonia in SCZ, MDD, and BD comparing to healthy controls. We also extend our investigation to subclinical features, and will explore the potential neural modulatory effects of the cerebellum on anhedonia. 

Professor RCK Chan, Department of Psychiatry

Prof. Raymond Chan has long been interested in individuals at risk for mental disorders and in schizophrenia and related disorders, and a combination methodology of neuropsychology, experimental psychology, affective and cognitive neuroscience, as well as digital phenotyping. Prof. Chan’s recent work has extended to a transdiagnostic approach to mental disorders. He is particularly focusing on the important role of the cerebellum and its related neuroanatomical and functional connectivity contributing to the development of psychopathologies and neurocognitive impairments in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.

Biography
Laboratory Homepage
ORCID
rckchan@hku.hk

For more information or to express interest for this project, please email the supervisor or the specified contact point in the project description.  Interested candidates are advised to enclose with your email:

1. your CV,
2. a brief description of your research interest and experience, and
3. two reference letters (not required for HKUMed UG students seeking MRes[Med]/URIS projects).

Information on the research programme, funding support and admission documentations could be referenced online at the Research Postgraduate Admissions website. General admission enquiries should be directed to rpgmed@hku.hk.

HKUMed MBBS students interested in the Master of Research in Medicine (MRes[Med]) programme may visit the programme website for more information.  

HKUMed UG students interested in the Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme (URIS) may visit the scheme’s website for more information.