My Research Vision:
A Journey Toward Enhancing Cognitive Function
Agnes S. Chan
Chairperson and Professor
Department of Psychology, CUHK
09/2025
As a neuropsychologist dedicated to understanding and improving cognitive health, my research vision has always centered on bridging the gap between identifying cognitive impairments and developing practical, evidence-based interventions to enhance brain function.
In an era where cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias affect over 55 million people worldwide, with projections estimating a tripling to 152 million by 2050 due to aging populations, research on enhancing cognitive function is of paramount importance. This work not only alleviates the profound personal and familial impacts of cognitive decline, including diminished independence and emotional distress, but also addresses the staggering economic burden, which exceeds $1 trillion annually in global healthcare costs.
By advancing interventions that promote neuroplasticity and resilience, we can enable healthier aging, boost societal productivity, and reduce reliance on long-term care systems. Over the past three decades, my work has evolved from foundational studies on the neural underpinnings of cognitive decline—particularly in neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease—to innovative, non-invasive approaches that promote cognitive resilience and restoration. This path reflects a commitment to holistic, culturally informed strategies that integrate Eastern traditions with Western science, ultimately aiming to empower individuals across the lifespan to maintain or regain cognitive vitality. Below, allow me to share with you the vision and passion behind my 30s research work, highlighting key milestones and how they build toward my research endeavor.
Early Foundations: Mapping Semantic Networks in Alzheimer’s Disease
(1990s–Early 2000s)
My journey began during my doctoral training at the University of California, San Diego, where I focused on clinical neuropsychology. In the 1990s, much of my work examined the structure and deterioration of semantic knowledge in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), providing insights into how cognitive networks break down in neurodegenerative disorders. For instance, early studies employed the semantic network framework with parallel distribution modeling to reveal abnormalities in the organization of semantic memory, demonstrating that AD patients exhibit disrupted clustering and dimensionality in their knowledge networks. This work highlighted that semantic impairments in AD, revealed at the early stage, can predict the later development of the disease. These investigations, spanning both cross-sectional and comparative designs, utilized healthy controls and other clinical groups (e.g., Huntington’s disease), laying the groundwork for understanding cognitive pathology. This line of research was recognized with the Early Career Award in Clinical Neuropsychology from Division 40 of the American Psychological Association and the Phillip M. Rennick Award given by the International Neuropsychological Society (INS) in 2004.
By the late 1990s, I also developed clinical tools tailored for Chinese populations, such as the Hong Kong List Learning Test (HKLLT) to better assess memory in culturally relevant ways. The HKLLT is one of the most commonly used clinical assessments for memory in Hong Kong clinical and professional settings. This phase emphasized early detection and characterization of impairment, fueling my shift toward interventions that could prevent or mitigate such declines.
Transition to Interventions: Chinese Mind-Body Exercises (Mid-2000s–2010s)
Building on insights from AD research, I recognized the need for proactive strategies to enhance cognitive function, particularly in vulnerable populations like older adults and children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Inspired by traditional Chinese practices, I began exploring mind-body exercises rooted in Chan (Zen) principles, such as Tai Chi and later Shaolin Nei Gong. These approaches applied the Chinese traditional medical concepts on internal energy (i.e., Chi) to foster neuroplasticity.
Initial studies in the mid-2000s linked mind-body to improved verbal memory in older adults, suggesting that such practices could counteract age-related cognitive decline. By 2008, I applied these to neurodevelopmental contexts, finding that traditional Chinese mind-body exercises enhanced self-control in adolescents with Asperger’s disorder. Randomized controlled trials followed, demonstrating benefits for children with autism, including better emotional regulation and impulse control. In older adults, Chan-based interventions improved memory and psychological well-being, with effects persisting in community-dwelling elders and those with depression. This work, often published in high-impact journals, underscored the potential of culturally adapted exercises as neuropsychological rehabilitation tools, shifting my focus from diagnosis to enhancement.
Expanding to Holistic Approaches: Lifestyle Medicine (2010s–Present)
The success of mind-body exercises led me to develop a more comprehensive framework: the Chanwuyi Lifestyle Medicine Program (CLMP), launched empirically in 2007 at CUHK. Integrating Chinese Chan medical concepts with Western lifestyle medicine, CLMP encompasses diet (e.g., plant-based, five elements diet), exercise (mind-body routines), stress management, and emotional cultivation to promote overall well-being. This program addresses cognitive enhancement holistically, targeting neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Research has shown CLMP’s efficacy in improving memory and executive functions in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or subjective memory complaints. Systematic reviews confirm lifestyle interventions like CLMP benefit cognitive functions in MCI and dementia, reducing immunological deviations and enhancing daily functioning. In children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a one-month Chan-based diet component improved executive functions like cognitive flexibility. These findings, supported by my role as Director of the Research Center for Neuropsychological Well-Being, highlight lifestyle medicine’s role in preventive cognitive health, with ongoing studies exploring its immunological and neurophysiological mechanisms. The Chanwuyi Lifestyle Medicine Program earned the Certified Lifestyle Medicine Program designation from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine in 2021
Innovative Technologies: Eye-Tracking Training (Late 2010s–Present)
In recent years, I’ve incorporated technology-driven interventions to target specific cognitive domains. Eye-tracking training, using computerized programs to improve saccadic movements and visual attention, has emerged as a promising tool for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning difficulties, and ASD.
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Studies show that such training enhances inhibitory control, visuospatial working memory, and cognitive flexibility in these groups. For example, after-school programs improved learning and memory in children with learning difficulties, while reducing eye movement abnormalities in ADHD. This line of research aligns with my vision by offering accessible, game-based tools that leverage neuroplasticity to boost cognitive efficiency, with potential applications in educational settings. Later on, in order to transfer the eye-tracking technology to benefit society, the Pro-Talent Association Ltd. was established in 2016 as a project supported by the Chinese University of Hong Kong under the Sustainable Knowledge Transfer Fund.
Cutting-Edge Modalities: Photobiomodulation (2010s–Present)
Parallel to eye-tracking, I’ve investigated transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), a non-invasive light therapy that delivers near-infrared light to the brain, stimulating mitochondrial function, boosting ATP production, enhancing cerebral blood flow, and promoting neuroplasticity to improve overall brain activity. This approach represents my latest frontier in cognitive enhancement, particularly for aging populations, individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and those recovering from neurological conditions like traumatic brain injury (TBI) or depression.
A systematic review of human studies from my research team has demonstrated that tPBM can effectively improve cognitive functions, including attention, learning, and memory, in healthy individuals, while showing strong potential for treating dementia. In my lab, we’ve conducted randomized controlled trials and pilot studies revealing that multi-session tPBM protocols enhance memory processing in older adults with MCI, as measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), which shows increased prefrontal activation and efficiency during memory tasks. For instance, in older adults with subjective memory complaints, tPBM has been shown to reduce the cognitive effort required for working memory demands, suggesting improved neural efficiency that correlates with better performance—particularly benefiting those with stronger baseline memory.
Further, dose-response investigations have explored how varying light dosages in single sessions affect cognitive efficiency in healthy older adults, identifying optimal parameters for maximal benefits using task-related fNIRS to track hemodynamic changes.
Most recently, a study on adults with mild TBI found that tPBM intervention can enhance cognitive function, alleviate post-concussion symptoms (such as headaches and fatigue), and improve mental health, positioning it as a safe, non-invasive intervention for acute and chronic cognitive deficits. These findings emphasize tPBM’s versatility, cost-effectiveness, and minimal side effects, with ongoing work examining its integration with lifestyle medicine for personalized cognitive rehabilitation and exploring long-term effects through longitudinal designs. This line of research, with innovative ideas and technology, resulted in three US patents.
Looking Forward: Integrating Interventions for Broader Impact
My path—from dissecting semantic networks in AD to pioneering interventions like CLMP, eye-tracking, and tPBM—reflects a cohesive vision: to enhance cognitive function through accessible, evidence-based methods that honour cultural roots while embracing innovation. With over 100 publications in top journals (e.g., Nature, Alzheimer’s & Dementia) and tools adopted clinically in Hong Kong, my work has been featured in global media like the BBC and New York Times. Future directions include combining these modalities, with an emphasis on the integration of Chinese medical concepts with modern technology. By using advanced neuroimaging for personalized interventions, we can ultimately find a path to enhance the cognitive function (also termed brain function) of humans.
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General Introduction
Professor Agnes Sui-Yin Chan is the Chairperson and a full Professor in the Department of Psychology at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), where she also serves as the Director of the Research Center for Neuropsychological Well-Being. With a Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in 1995, she has built an illustrious career that includes adjunct professorship at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and consultancy to the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at UCSD. Prof. Chan's work has earned her an h-index of 49, over 9,413 citations, and an i10-index of 121, with rankings among the 100 best scientist in psychology in neuroscience in China according to Research.com in 2025.
Her research spans clinical neuropsychology, emphasizing cognitive impairments in brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and schizophrenia; the role of cortical plasticity in cognition; early detection of cognitive decline using neuropsychological assessments and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS); and the development of innovative, evidence-based interventions to enhance cognitive function and mental health.
A key aspect of her work on early detection involves leveraging fNIRS as a non-invasive biomarker to identify individuals at risk for dementia, particularly those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and subjective memory complaints (SMC). Her studies have demonstrated that fNIRS can detect distinct patterns of frontal lobe activity during verbal fluency tasks, revealing reduced oxygenated hemoglobin in amnestic MCI groups compared to controls and non-amnestic MCI, while also distinguishing SMC individuals with subtle cognitive declines from healthy older adults through increased deoxygenated hemoglobin responses. This approach highlights fNIRS's potential for early, objective screening of dementia risk, enabling timely interventions to mitigate progression.
Prof. Chan's pioneering achievements in innovative interventions for cognitive disorders are exemplified by her advancements in transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), a non-invasive technique that uses near-infrared to stimulate mitochondrial function, enhance cerebral blood flow, and promote neural activity in the brain, particularly targeting the frontal lobes. One of her study demonstrated that tPBM can safely and cost-effectively improve frontal lobe functions in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Another study also showed that transcranial Photobiomodulation can enhances cognitive function and reduce symptoms in mild traumatic brain injury patient. In addition, her research has shown reduced perceived task difficulty, enhanced neural efficiency, and better working memory performance after tPBM sessions, with dose-response effects indicating that a single dose yields greater cognitive enhancements than a double dose in healthy older adults. In case studies of older adults with non-amnestic MCI, 18 sessions of tPBM over 9 weeks led to marked improvement on cognitive function and mental health. This work positions tPBM as a promising, accessible tool for dementia prevention and rehabilitation, with implications for reducing social and economic burdens associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Equally impactful is Prof. Chan's development of eye-tracking training as a computerized, after-school intervention designed to strengthen cognitive skills in children with neurodevelopmental disorders, leveraging the link between oculomotor control, attention, and frontal lobe functions. Her randomized and non-randomized controlled trials have revealed significant enhancements in saccadic eye movements, inhibitory control, visuospatial working memory (VSWM), cognitive flexibility, learning abilities, and memory retention among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), ASD, and learning difficulties. For example, in a study of children with ADHD and ASD, 20 sessions over 9 months led to improved VSWM total scores, working memory spans, and cognitive flexibility (more correct responses), with greater gains at higher difficulty levels (span ≥5), outperforming waitlist controls. Another trial with children experiencing learning difficulties showed faster learning and better delayed recall on the Hong Kong List Learning Test after 20 weekly 50-minute sessions over 8 months, alongside reading improvements, surpassing traditional after-school remediation. Related work using eye-tracking during n-back tasks has linked prefrontal activation and pupil dilation to working memory performance, informing training designs. This non-pharmacological approach, which targets oculomotor and attentional deficits through structured exercises, has proven safe, feasible, and effective as an after-school program, offering a novel rehabilitation strategy that addresses core cognitive impairments in these populations and potentially influencing future interventions for broader neurodevelopmental challenges.
A significant contribution by Prof. Chan to the neuropsychological assessment of Chinese populations is her development of the Hong Kong List Learning Test (HKLLT), a culturally sensitive verbal learning and memory assessment tool designed specifically for Cantonese-speaking individuals. First developed in 1997 with a manual and preliminary norms published in 1999, and updated to a second edition in 2006. This test addresses the limitations of Western-based assessments, which often lack cultural relevance for Chinese populations, by incorporating linguistically and culturally appropriate stimuli, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy for memory impairments in conditions like dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and mild cognitive impairment among Hong Kong Chinese and other Cantonese speakers. The HKLLT has demonstrated strong psychometric properties, including high test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, and clinical validity in distinguishing between normal aging, MCI, and various dementia subtypes, making it a cornerstone for early detection and intervention research in Chinese communities. It is one of the most widely adopted tools not only in Hong Kong but also been used in Singapore, mainland China, and other regions with Chinese populations, influencing professional training, clinical practice, and research on cognitive interventions.
A cornerstone of Prof. Chan's contributions is the Chanwuyi Lifestyle Medicine Program (CLMP), an evidence-based integrative model she pioneered in 2007, fusing Western lifestyle medicine principles—such as balanced diet, physical exercise, stress reduction, and emotional regulation—with Eastern concepts from Chinese Chan traditions, including mindfulness, holistic balance, and Chan medical philosophy derived from martial arts practices like Shaolin DanTian breathing. The CLMP has been empirically validated through randomized controlled trials to enhance memory, concentration, executive functions, emotional health, physical well-being, and even immunological profiles in older adults with or without MCI, as well as in individuals with neurological, psychiatric, and neurodevelopmental conditions like autism. This program exemplifies her innovative approach by bridging ancient Eastern wisdom with rigorous Western scientific methods, creating accessible therapies tailored for Chinese populations while holding broader applicability.
Prof. Chan's innovative methodologies have garnered substantial international impact, with over 100 publications in top-ranking journals like Nature, Alzheimer’s & Dementia, The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, Archives of Neurology, Cancer, Neuropsychology, and Journal of Affective Disorders, accumulating thousands of citations globally. She also invented two significant devices for detecting and intervening in cognitive impairment that yielded her three US patents. Her findings have influenced clinical practices worldwide, including the widespread adoption of her indigenous tools like the HKLLT and the Chinese version of the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale in Hong Kong and beyond. Media coverage from outlets such as the BBC, ABC, and *The New York Times* has amplified her work, while invitations to speak at prestigious venues like Harvard University and the Korean National Assembly highlight her global influence. Her editorial roles, including associate editor of Neuropsychology and board member of the International Journal of Neuropsychological Society, further cement her leadership in advancing neuropsychological research and interventions on an international scale.