The capability to learn novel, complex motor skills is a remarkable ability, and essential for daily lives and survival. By applying circuit mapping technique, multi-array electrophysiological recording, brain imaging and machine-learning algorithms, we probe the mechanisms underlying the emergence of neuronal assembly in the cortex for the encoding and transfer of motor memory as well as elucidating novel motor pathways underlying skilful movements. The aberrations in these processes and pathways in brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease are also explored.
Adaptive behaviours in response to the complex and changing environment rely largely on cognitive flexibility, a higher brain function. We aim to decipher the neural circuits and mechanisms underlying this important cognitive function, e.g. in switching of strategy to solve a problem, as well as its malfunction in various brain disorders. Techniques including neuronal tract tracing, optogenetics and network analysis are employed to tackle this question.
Qiao, J.D., Yang, S.X., Geng, H.Y., Yung, W.H.* & Ke, Y. (2022). Input-timing dependent plasticity at incoming synapses of mushroom body facilitates olfactory learning in drosophila. Current Biology https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2022.09.054
Zhang, F.W., Mak, O.K., Liu, Y.C., Ke, Y., Rao, F., Yung, W.H.*, Zhang, L. & Chow, K.C. (2022). Secretin receptor deletion in the subfornical organ attenuates the activation of excitatory neurons under dehydration. Current Biology https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2022.09.037
Lam, Y.S., Liu, X.X., Ke, Y. & Yung, W.H.* (2022). Edge-based network analysis reveals frequency specific network dynamics in aberrant anxiogenic processing in rats. Network Neuroscience, 6(3), 816-833
Xu, L.H., Li, Q., Ke, Y. & Yung, W.H.* (2022). “Chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced aberrant neural activities in the hippocampus of male rats revealed by long-term in vivo recording” Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 15:784045.
Lam, Y.S., Li, J.X., Ke. Y. & Yung, W.H.* (2022). Variational dimensions of cingulate cortex functional connectivity and implications in neuropsychiatric disorders. Cerebral Cortex, Feb 22:bhac045.
Du, L., Xu, L., Liang, T., Wing, Y.K., Ke, Y. & Yung, W.H.* (2021). Progressive pontine-medullary dysfunction leads to REM sleep behavior disorder symptoms in a chronic model of Parkinson’s disease. Nature and Science of Sleep, 13,1723-1736.
Li, C,, Yang, X., Ke, Y. & Yung, W.H.* (2020). Fully Affine Invariant Methods for Cross-Session Registration of Calcium Imaging Data. eNeuro, 7(4) ENEURO.0054-20.2020.
Li, C., Chan, D.C.W., Yang, X., Ke, Y. & Yung, W.H.* (2019). Prediction of forelimb reach results from motor cortex activities based on calcium imaging and deep learning. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 13, 88 doi: 10.3389/fncel.2019.00088.
Cui, Q., Li, Q., Geng, H., Chen, L., Ip, N.Y., Ke, Y. & Yung, W.H.* (2018). Dopamine receptors mediate strategy abandoning via modulation of a specific prelimbic cortex-nucleus accumbens pathway in mice. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA, 115(21), E4890-E4899.
Li, Q., Ko, H., Qian, Z.M., Yan, L.Y.C., Chan, D.C.W., Arbuthnott, G., Ke, Y. & Yung, W.H.* (2017). Refinement of learned skilled movement representation in motor cortex deep output layer. Nature Communications, 8, 15834. doi: 10.1038/ncomms15834
Leong, A.T., Chan, R.W., Gao, P.P., Chan, Y.S., Tsia, K.K., Yung, W.H. & Wu, E.X. (2016). Long-range projections coordinate distributed brain-wide neural activity with a specific spatiotemporal profile. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA, 113(51), E8306-E8315.
Xu, L.H., Xie, H., Shi, Z.H., Du, L.D., Wing, Y.K., Li, A.M., Ke, Y. & Yung, W.H.*(2015). Critical role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced deficits in synaptic plasticity and long-term memory. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 23, 695-710.
Li, Q., Qian, Z.M., Arbuthnott, G.W., Ke, Y. & Yung, W.H.* (2014). Cortical effects of deep brain stimulation: implications for pathogenesis and treatment of Parkinson disease. JAMA Neurology, 71, 100-103(Editorial Highlight).
Huang, Y., Wang, J.J., & Yung, W.H.* (2013). Coupling between GABA-A receptor and chloride transporter underlies ionic plasticity in cerebellar Purkinje neurons. The Cerebellum, 12, 328-330.
Li, Q., Ke, Y., Chan, D.C.W., Qian, Z.M., Yung, K.K.L., Ko, H., Arbuthnott, G. & Yung, W.H.* (2012). Therapeutic deep brain stimulation in parkinsonian rats directly influences motor cortex. Neuron, 76, 1030-1041 (Highlighted in ‘Nature Reviews Neuroscience’ and ‘Nature China’).
Huang, Y., Ko, H., Cheung, Z.H., Yung, K.K.L., Yao, T., Wang, J.J., Morozov, A., Ke, Y., Ip, N.Y. & Yung, W.H.* (2012). Dual actions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor on GABAergic transmission in cerebellar Purkinje neurons. Experimental Neurology, 233, 791-798.
Chu, J.Y.S., Lee, L.T.O., Lai, C.H., Vaudry, H., Chan, Y.S. Yung, W.H. & Chow, B.K.C. (2009). Secretin as a neurohypophysial factor regulating body water homeostasis.Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA, 106, 15961-15966.
Pang, P., Teng, H., Zaitsev, E., Woo, N.T., Sakata, K., Zhen, S., Teng, K.K., Yung, W.H., Hempstead, B., & Lu, B. (2004). Proteolytic conversion from pro- to mature BDNF by tPA/plasmin is essential for long-term hippocampal plasticity. Science, 305, 487-491.* Corresponding / Co-corresponding author
Health and Medical Research Fund [PI; 01-Apr-2022 to 31-Mar-2025]: ” A novel target brain area for obsessive-compulsive disorder neuromodulatory an pharmacological intervention” (HK$1,499,960).
RGC – General Research Fund [PI; 01-Jan-2022 to 31-Dec-2024]: ” Inter-hemispheric transfer of motor skill: characterization and brain mechanism ” (HK$1,175,732)
RGC – General Research Fund [PI; 01-Jan-20 to 31-Dec-2022]: “Anomalous synaptic representations of locomotive states in the motor cortex in Parkinson’s disease: origin and significance” (HK$928,156).
RGC – NSFC-RGC Joint Research Scheme [PI; 01-Jan-2020 to 31-Dec-2024]: “ The synaptic, cellular and circuit plasticity mechanisms underlying the role of the small-molecule neuropeptide orexin in central vestibular compensation” (HK$1,177,667).
UGC – Theme-Based Research Scheme [Co-PI; 01-Jan-2019 to 31-Dec-2023]: “A Stem Cell Approach to Dissect the Molecular Basis of Neurodegenerative Diseases” (HK$37,973,000).
UGC – Area of Excellence Scheme [Co-PI; 01-Jun-2017 to 31-May-2025]: “Cellular Mechanisms of Synaptic Functions and Plasticity in Health and Neurodegenerative Diseases” (HK$77,516,000).
