Prof. SO Kwok-fai, Director of GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration at Jinan University, Guangzhou, China, delivered the 37th PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Mental Health and Lifestyle Intervention” on 17 April 2025 on the PolyU campus. The lecture attracted about 100 participants in person and captivated an online audience of over 13,300 from different countries and regions who watched the live broadcast on multiple social media platforms, including Bilibili, WeChat, Weibo and YouTube.
Prof. So underscored the vital role of disease prevention in protecting health, noting that rapid economic development, fast-paced lifestyles and heightened social competition exacerbate mental health issues, chronic diseases, sub-health syndromes and ageing-related conditions. He detailed neuropathological mechanisms—monoamine neurotransmitters, neural circuits and neuroglial cells—and explained the effects of circulating hormones (e.g., glucocorticoids) on mental health, pointing to interactions between the peripheral and central nervous systems. He also highlighted the antidepressant effects of light therapy and the role of nucleus reuniens in mediating treatment outcomes, as well as the potential of glycopeptides for easing depression without side effects. Prof. So concluded by advocating a shift in healthcare focus from treatment to prevention, and the adoption of exercise, light therapy and goji glycopeptide supplements as key preventive strategies.
