People
Dr. Alexander YL LAU
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Clinical Associate Professor (Honorary), Department of Medicine & Therapeutics
Head of Neuroimmunology Unit and Integrative Neuroscience Unit, Division of Neurology
Medical Director, Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine
Co-Director, Analytic and Clinical Cooperative Laboratory in Integrative Medicine (ACCLAIM)
Honorary Associate Consultant, Specialist in Neurology, Prince of Wales Hospital
Prince of Wales Hospital
Specialist in Neurology
Honorary Associate Consultant, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics
Academic and Professional Qualifications
SB (Chicago), MB ChB (CUHK), MRCP (UK), FHKCP, FHKAM (Medicine)Contact Information
Tel.: (852) 2873 3093
Biography
Alex is a neurologist and honorary clinical associate professor at the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics of the Faculty of Medicine, CUHK. He is also the Medical Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine of CUHK. After receiving undergraduate education in biochemistry at the University of Chicago in 1998, Alex returned to Hong Kong and obtained his medical degree from CUHK in 2003, followed by physician training in internal medicine and neurology at the Prince of Wales Hospital, the teaching hospital of CUHK. He was awarded the gold medal of Best Thesis Award by the Hong Kong College of Physicians in 2010. In 2011, he went to the University of California San Francisco for post-doctoral fellowship as a recipient of Croucher Foundation Fellowship and CUHK Henry Leung Fellowship. Alex joined CUHK Faculty of Medicine in 2015 and his research focuses on stroke, multiple sclerosis, and integrative medicine. In 2021, he has joined the CUHK Medical Centre as a Consultant Neurologist.
Dr. Alexander YL LAU
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Clinical Associate Professor (Honorary), Department of Medicine & Therapeutics
Head of Neuroimmunology Unit and Integrative Neuroscience Unit, Division of Neurology
Medical Director, Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine
Co-Director, Analytic and Clinical Cooperative Laboratory in Integrative Medicine (ACCLAIM)
Honorary Associate Consultant, Specialist in Neurology, Prince of Wales Hospital
Prince of Wales Hospital
Specialist in Neurology
Honorary Associate Consultant, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics
Research Interests
- Neuroimmunological diseases, multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
- Stroke, small vessel disease and stroke recovery
- Data analytics and evidence synthesis in integrative medicine
Honorary Appointments in Other Professional Activities
- Honorary Senior Lecturer, School of Information Technologies, Faculty of Engineering and IT, The University of Sydney, Australia
Awards
- The Most Promising Young Researcher Award, HKSAR Food and Health Bureau (2019)
- Best free-paper presentation, Hong Kong Neurological Society Annual Scientific Meeting (2007, 2009, 2011)
- Young Physician's Scholarship, World Stroke Organization (2010)
- Gold Medal of Best Thesis Award, Hong Kong College of Physicians (2010)
- Croucher Foundation Fellowship (2011)
- Young Investigator Research Grant, Hong Kong College of Physicians (2013)
- Best free-paper prize, 14th Asian and Oceanic Congress of Neurology (2014)
Selected Publications
- Zee B, Wong Y, Lee J, Fan Y, Zeng J, Lam B, Wong A, Shi L, Lee A, Kwok C, Lai M, Mok V, Lau AY. Machine-learning method for localization of cerebral white matter hyperintensities in healthy adults based on retinal images. Brain Communications. 2021;3(3):fcab124. DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcab124.
- Liu W, Au LWC, Abrigo J, Luo Y, Wong A, Lam BYK, Fan X, Kwan PWL, Ma HW, Ng AYT, Chen S, Leung EYL, Ho CL, Wong SHM, Chu WC, Ko H, Lau AY, Shi L, Mok VCT, Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. MRI-based Alzheimer’s disease-resemblance atrophy index in the detection of preclinical and prodromal Alzheimer’s disease. Aging 2021; 13(10): 13496-13514. DOI: 10.18632/aging.203082.
- Ismail M, Mok VC, Wong A, Au L, Yiu B, Wang Z, Chu WC, Chan AY, Fan FS, Ma SH, Ip V, Ip B, Ma K, Leung H, Soo YO, Leung TW, Ko H, Lau AY, Lam BY. Risk factors for delayed-onset dementia after stroke or transient ischemic attack – a five-year longitudinal cohort study. International Journal of Stroke 2021; 2: 17474930211026519. DOI: 10.1177/17474930211026519.
- Lam BYK, Yiu B, Ampil E, Chen CL, Dikot Y, Dominguez JC, Ganeshbhai PV, Hilal S, Kandiah N, Kim S, Lee JY, Ong AP, Senanarong V, Leung KT, Wang H, Yang YH, Yong T, Arshad F, Alladi S, Wong S, Ko H, Lau AYL, Mok VCT. High burden of cerebral white matter lesion in 9 Asian cities. Scientific Reports. 2021;11(1):11587. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90746-x.
- Fan FSY, Yip TCF, Yiu B, Lam B, Au L, Lau AY, Ip B, Soo Y, Leung TW, Li T, Lui G, Wong GLH, Mok V. Neurological diseases and risk of mortality in patients with COVID-19 and SARS: a territory-wide study in Hong Kong. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 2021: jnnp-2021-32626. DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2021-326286.
- Lau AY, Ip B, Ko H, Lam B, Shi L, Ma K, Au L, Soo Y, Leung TW, Wong A, Mok VC. Pandemic of the aging society - sporadic cerebral small vessel disease. Chinese Medical Journal. 2021; 134(2): 143-150. DOI: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000001320 (IF 1.585).
- Ip YMB, Au L, Chan YY, Fan F, Ip HL, Ma SH, Ma K, Mok V, Lau AY, Leng X, Leung H, Wong A, Abrigo J, Wong KT, Yu S, Wong KSL, Soo Y, Leung TW. Evolving ischemic stroke subtypes in 15 years: a hospital-based observational study. International Journal of Stroke. 2021: 17474930211005953. DOI: 10.1177/17474930211005953.
- Chau JPC, Lo SHS, Zhao J, Choi KC, Lam SKY, Saran R, Shi J, Thompson DR, Lau AYL. Validation of a translated Chinese version of the participation strategies self-efficacy scale: a cross-sectional study. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2021 Jun 1:1-7 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1933220.
- Leung TW, Wang L, Zou X, Soo YO, Pu Y, Ip VH, Chan AY, Au L, Fan FS, Ma SH, Ip B, Ma K, Lau AY, Leung H, Hui KF, Li R, Li SH, Fu F, Fong WC, Liu J, Mok VC, Wong LK, Miao Z, Ma N, Yu S, Leng X. Plaque morphology of acute intracranial atherosclerotic disease. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 2021; 92:370-376. DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-325027.
- Liu CX, Zhao L, Fan P, Ko H, Au C, Ng A, Au L, Wong A, Kermode AG, Mok V, Yan Y, Qiu W, Lau AY. High serum neurofilament levels among Chinese patients with aquaporin-4-IgG- seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. 11:S0967-5868(20)31639-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2020.11.016.
- Zhao L, Abrigo J, Chen Q, Au C, Ng A, Fan P, Mok V, Qiu W, Kermode AG, Lau AY. Advanced MRI features in relapsing multiple sclerosis with and without CSF oligoclonal IgG bands. Scientific Reports. 2020; 10:13703. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70693-9.
- Zhao L, Ng A, Chen QY, Lam B, Abrigo J, Au C, Mok VCT, Wong A, Lau AY. Cognitive impairment is related to corpus callosum microstructural damage in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology 2020; 7(7): 1193-1203. DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51100.
- Fan M, Qiu W, Bu B, Xu Y, Yang H, Huang D, Lau AY, Guo J, Zhang MN, Zhang X, Yang CS, Chen J, Zheng P, Liu Q, Zhang C, Shi FD. Risk of COVID-19 infection in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease. Neurology: Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation. 2020; 7(5):e787 DOI: 10.1212/N NXI.0000000000000787.
- Lam B, Leung KT, Lei Z, Biesbroek JM, Biessels GJ, Au L, Tang Y, Wang K, Fan Y, Fu JH, XU Q, Song H, Tian X, Chu WC, Abrigo J, Lin S, Ko H, Lau Au>, Duering M, Wong A, Mok VC. Peak width of skeletonize mean diffusivity and its association with age-related cognitive alterations and vascular risk factors. Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring. 2019; 11:721-729. DOI: 10.1016/j.dadm.2019.09.003.
- Ip B, Lam C, Ip V, Chan A, Mok V, Au E, Chan E, Lau AY. Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy associated meningoencephalomyelitis and bilateral sensorineuronal deafness. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorder. 2020; 40: 101922 doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2019.101922.
- Lau AY, Lui GCY, Chan KP, Au C, Mok VCT, Ziemssen T. Pneumocystis pneumonia in a patient treated with alemtuzumab for relapsing multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders 2019; 38:101503 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2019.101503.
- Hung C, Wu XY, Chung V, Tang E, Wu J, Lau AY. Overview of systematic reviews with meta-analyses on acupuncture in post-stroke cognitive impairment and depression management. Integrative Medicine Research. 2019; 8 (3)H:145-159. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2019.05.001.
- Lu T, Zhao L, Sun X, Au C, Huang Y, Yang Y, Bao J, Wu A, Kermode AG, Qiu W, Lau AY. Comparison of multiple sclerosis patients with and without oligoclonal IgG bands in South China. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. 2019; 66: 51-55. DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2019.05.025.
- Chau J, Lo S, Lee V, Choi KC, Shum E, Hung Z, Mok V, Siow E, Ching J, Lam S, Yeung J, Li SH, Lau A. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a virtual multidisciplinary stroke care clinic for community-dwelling stroke survivors and caregivers: a randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open. 2019; 9: e026550. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026500
- Shu Y, Long Y, Wang S, Hu W, Zhou J, Xu H, Chen C, QU Y, Lu Z, Lau A, Yu X, Kermode A, Wei Q. Brain histopathological study and prognosis in two patients with MOG-antibody-associated demyelinating pseudotumor. Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology. 2019; 6: 392-396. DOI: 10.1002/acn3.712.
- Wen T, Liu B, Wan X, Zhang X, Zhang J, Zhou XZ, Lau AY, Zhang Y. Risk factors associated with 31-day unplanned readmission in 50,912 discharged patients after stroke in China. BMC Neurology. 2018; 18:218. DOI: 10.1186/s12883-018-1209-y.
- Zhou Q, Pei J, Poon J, Lau AY, Zhang L, Wang Y, Liu C, Huang L. Worldwide research trends on aristolochic acids (1957-2017): Suggestions for researchers. Plos One . 2019; 14: e0216135. Doi: 10.1371/journal.prone.0216135.
- Lau A, Mok V, Lee J, Fan Y, Zeng J, Lam B, Wong A, Kwok C, Lai M, Zee B. Retinal image analytics detects white matter hyperintensities in healthy adults. Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology. 2019; 6(1): 98-105 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.688.
- Lau A, Qiu W, Kermode A, Au C, Ng A, Wong A, Ma SH, Au L, Ma K, Ip B, Mok V. High prevalence and indexes of anti-John Cunningham virus antibodies in a cohort of Chinese patients with multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis Journal – Experimental, Translational and Clinical. 2018 Jul 17; 4(3): 1-4. DOI: 10.1177/2055217318788699
- Lau AY, Ip WK, Au C, Lau KK, Wong W, Yip KK, et al. Prevalence of neutralising antibodies to interferon-beta and clinical response in Chinese patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2017;3(4):2055217317733485.
- Poon SK, Poon J, Lam MK, Yin Q, Sze DM, Wu JC, Mok VC, Ching JY, Chan KL, Cheung WH, Lau AY. An ensemble approach for record matching in data linkage. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2016;227:113-9.
- Starrossom SC, Veremeyko T, Yung AW, Dukhinova M, Au C, Lau AY, Weiner HL, Ponomarev ED. Platelets play differential role during initiation and progression of autoimmune neuroinflammation. Circ Res. 2015;117(9):779-92.
- Lau A, Zhao Y, Chen C, Leung TW, FU J, Huang Y, Suwanwela N, Han Z, Tan KS, Ratanakorn D, Markus HS, Wong KS. Dual antiplatelets reduce microembolic signals in patients with TIA and minor stroke: subgroup analysis of CLAIR study. Int J Stroke. 2014 9 Suppl A100:127-32. doi: 10.1111/ijs.12003. Epub 2013 Mar 12.
- Lau A, Wong KS, Lev M, Furie K, Smith W, Kim AS. Burden of intracranial steno-occlusive lesions on initial CT angiography is predictive of poor outcomes in patients with stroke and TIA. Stroke. 2013; 44:1310-6.
- Ip VH, Lau AY, Au LW, Fan FS, Chan AY, Mok VC, Wong KS. Rituximab reduces attacks in Chinese patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders - initial experience in Hong Kong. J Neurol Sci. 2013; 324:38-9.
- Lau A, Wong E, Wong A, Leung T, Mok V, Wong KS. Significance of good collateral compensation in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis. Cerebrovasc Dis. 2012; 33:517-524 DOI: 10.1159/000337332.
- Lau A, Wong E, Leung T, Mok V, Wong KS. Intravenous alteplase for Chinese stroke patients with borderline-eligibility. J Clin Neurosci. 2012; 19(10): 1383-6. DOI: 10.1016/ j.jocn.2012.01.027.
- Lau A, Chan A, Mok V. Refractory bulbar and respiratory dysfunction in a young Chinese woman with seronegative, muscle-specific kinase antibody (MuSK) positive myasthenia gravis - the response to cyclophosphamide and rituximab treatment. Hong Kong Med J. 2011; 17(1): 77-9.
- Lau A, Soo Y, Graham CA, Woo WK, Wong EH, Leung H, Chan AY, Au LW, Ip VH, Leung CS, Hui V, Shum WC, Abrigo J, Siu DY, Yu SC, Wong LK, Leung TW. An expedited stroke triage pathway is the key to shortening the door-to-needle time in delivery of thrombolysis treatment. Hong Kong Med J. 2010; 16(6): 455-62.