• Lifestyle habits and mental health
• Physical Exercise and Affective Neuroscience

Dr. Formolo’s research focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms of affective and mood-related components associated with physical exercise and other health-related behaviours, with a translational focus on non-pharmacological interventions for depression, anxiety, and trauma-related conditions

Clinical Interest

• Family Therapy and System Thinking

As a practitioner, Dr. Formolo has used family therapy-related approaches in different contexts, including rehabilitation psychology, community settings, and private practice.

Registered Psychologist, Federal Council of Psychology, Brazil

Graduate Member – Hong Kong Psychological Society

06/2026 – 05/2028   URG/25/14

Title: A Longitudinal Investigation of the Affective Response to a Single Session of Moderate-Intensity Physical Exercise as a Predictor of Physical Activity Levels in Young Adults.

PI: Dr FORMOLO, Douglas A.

CoI: Prof. YU, Kai-ching Calvin

Fund: HK$38,144.00

Status: Actively recruiting participants

 If you would like to know more and be a participant in the above project (and receive a cash coupon reward of HKD200), access here: https://hksyu.syd1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0NVZHC2tMEdAOfc

Exercise Psychology and Affective Neuroscience

 Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Douglas A. Formolo

 Student Research Assistants:

•  Lai Hiu Ching (Rebecca)
• Cui Xiwen (Luciana)
• Lau Sum Yuet (Cherie)

1. Yu, J., Cheng, T., Guo, H., Song, Z., Zhong, Y., Lee, T. H., Li, J., Formolo, D. A., Akhlaq, H.,Le, K., Yao, Y., Abel, R. L., Cheung, W., Lin, K., Xu, A., Cheng, K. K., Yau, S. How MuscleTalks to Brain: Apelin Protein Mediates Exercise-Induced Antidepressant Effects. Molecular Psychiatry. 2026. (Impact Factor: 10.1, Q1/Neurosciences, Rank 14/310, 93.5%)
2. Iqbal, Z., Rosa, J. M., Yu, J., Cheng, T., Formolo, D. A., Akhlaq, H., Wong, T. P., Lee, T. M. C., So, K., Yau, S. Maternal exercise enhances hippocampal plasticity and resilience against stress-induced depressive behaviours in adult offspring. Scientific Reports. 2026. (Impact Factor: 3.9). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-48292-x
3. Formolo, D. A., Yau, S. Adiponectin as an Immunoregulatory Factor in Physical Exercise – A Brief Overview. Brain Behavior and Immunity Integrative. 2026. (Impact Factor: N/A). DOI:10.1016/j.bbii.2026.100165
4. Cheng, T., Formolo, D. A., Chen, X., Li, Z., Yoo, J. S., Lai, C. S. W., Xu, A., So, K. F., Yau, S. A single bout of physical exercise elicits rapid antidepressant-like effects through adiponectin-dependent nuclear translocation of the adapter protein APPL1. Molecular Psychiatry. 2025.(Impact Factor: 10.1, Q1/Neurosciences, Rank 14/310, 93.5%). DOI: 10.1038/s41380-025-03317-1.
5. Guo, H.; Ou, Hai.; Yu, J.; Rosa, J. M.; Formolo D. A.; Tong, C.; Yau, S.; Tsang, H. W. H. Adiponectin as a potential mediator of the pro-cognitive effects of physical exercise on Alzheimer's disease. Neural Regeneration Research. 2025. (Impact Factor: 5.9, Q1/Neurosciences, Rank 34/310, 89.2%). DOI: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-23-00943
6. Formolo, D. A.; Yu, J.; Lin, K.; Tsang, H. W. H.; Ou, H.; Kranz, G. S.; Yau, S. Y. Leveraging the Glymphatic and Meningeal Lymphatic Systems as Therapeutic Strategies in Alzheimer’s Disease: an Updated Overview of Nonpharmacological Therapies. Molecular Neurodegeneration. 2023. (Impact Factor: 14.9, Q1/Neurosciences, Rank 8/310, 97.6%). DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00618-3 
7. Lee, T. H. Y.; Devaki, M.; Formolo, D. A.; Rosa, J. M.; Cheng, A. S. K.; Yau, S. Effects of Voluntary Wheel Running Exercise on Chemotherapy-Impaired Cognitive and Motor Performance in Mice. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023. (Impact Factor: 4.61, Q1/Public, Environmental & Occupational Health, Rank 45/182, 75.5%). DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075371
8. Formolo, D. A.; Lee, T. H. Y.; Yu, J.; Lin, K.; Chen, G.; Kranz, G. S.; Yau, S. Increasing Adiponectin Signaling by Sub-Chronic AdipoRon Treatment Elicits Antidepressant- and Anxiolytic-Like Effects Independent of Changes in Hippocampal Plasticity. Biomedicines. 2023. (Impact Factor: 3.9, Q2/Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Rank 104/313, 66.9%). DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020249  
9. Formolo, D. A.; Cheng, T.; Yu, J.; Kranz, G. S.; Yau, S. Central Adiponectin Signaling – A Metabolic Regulator in Support of Brain Plasticity. Brain Plasticity. 2022. (Impact Factor: not measured). DOI: 10.3233/BPL-220138
10. Rosa, J,; Formolo, D. A.; Yu, J.; Lee, T. H. Y.; Yau, S. The Role of MicroRNA and Microbiota in Depression and Anxiety. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. 2022. (Impact Factor: 2.6, Q2/Behavioral Sciences, Rank 15/55, 73.6%). DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.828258 
11. Yau, S.; Yip, Y. S. L.; Formolo, D. A.; He, S.; Lee, T. H. Y.; Wen, C.; Hryciw, D. H. Chronic consumption of a high linoleic acid diet during pregnancy, lactation and post-weaning period increases depression-like behavior in male, but not female offspring. Behavioural Brain Research. 2022. (Impact Factor: 2.6, Q2/Behavioral Sciences, Rank 15/55, 73.6%). DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113538
12. Melo, H. M.; Guarnieri, R.; Vascouto, H. D.; Formolo, D. A.; de Carvalho, C. R.; Souza, D. S.; Campos, W. K.; Dionisio, S.; Wolf, P.; Lin, K.; Walz, R. Ictal fear is associated with anxiety symptoms and interictal dysphoric disorder in drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behavior. 2021. (Impact Factor: 2.3, Q2/Behavioral Sciences, Rank 26/55, 53.6%). DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107548
13. Formolo, D. A.; Lee, T.H.; Yau, S. Increasing adiponergic system activity as a potential treatment for depressive disorders. Molecular Neurobiology. 2019. (Impact Factor: 4.6, Q1/Neurosciences, Rank 66/310, 78.9%). DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-01644-3 
14. Yau S.; Lee T.H.; Formolo D.A.; Lee W.L.; Li L.C.; Siu P.M.; Chan C.C.H. Effects of maternal voluntary wheel running during pregnancy on adult hippocampal neurogenesis, temporal order memory, and depression-like behavior in adult female and male offspring. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2019. (Impact Factor: 3.2, Q2/Neurosciences, Rank 128/310, 58.9%). DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00470
15. Formolo D. A.; Gaspar J. M.; Melo H. M.; Eichwald T.; Zepeda R.J.; Latini A.; Okun M.S.; Walz R. Deep Brain Stimulation for obesity: a review and future directions. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2019. (Impact Factor: 3.2, Q2/Neurosciences, Rank 128/310, 58.9%). DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00323
16. Leal, R.; Lopes, M.; Formolo, D.A.; de Carvalho, C. R.; Hoeller, A. A.; Latini, A.; Sousa D.; Wolf, P.; Prediger, R.; Bortolotto, Z.; Linhares, M.; Lin, K.; Walz, R. Amygdala levels of the GluA1 subunit of glutamate receptors and its phosphorylation state at serine 845 in the anterior hippocampus are biomarkers of ictal fear but not anxiety. Molecular Psychiatry. 2018. (Impact Factor: 9.6, Q1/Neurosciences, Rank 14/310, 93.5%). DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0084-7
17. Hoeller, A. A.; Carvalho, C. R. De; Franco, P. L. C.; Formolo, D. A.; Imthon, A.; Santos, H. Dos; Eidt, I.; Souza, G.; Constantino, L. C.; Ferreira, C.; Prediger, R.; Leal, R. B.; Walz, R. Behavioral and neurochemical consequences of pentylenetetrazol-induced kindling in young and middle-aged rats. Pharmaceuticals. v.10, p.1-13, 2017. (Impact Factor: 4.3, Q1/Pharmacology & Pharmacy, Rank 69/354, 80.6%). DOI: 10.3390/ph10030075
18. De Oliveira Thais, M. E. R.; Cavallazzi, G.; Formolo, D. A.; De Castro, L. D.; Schmoeller, R.; Guarnieri, R.; Schwarzbold, M. L.; Diaz, A. P.; Hohl, A.; Prediger, R. D. S.; Mader, M. J.; Linhares, M. N.; Staniloiu, A.; Markowitsch, H. J.; Walz, R. Limited predictive power of hospitalization variables for long-term cognitive prognosis in adult patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Journal of Neuropsychology. v.8., p.125-139. 2014. (Impact Factor: 2.0, Q2/Psychology, Rank 44/92, 52.7%). DOI: 10.1111/jnp.12000 
19. Diaz, A. P.; Scalco, M. Z.; Schwarzbold, M. L.; Formolo, D. A.; Stoppe Junior, A. Cognitive performance of long-term institutionalized elderly patients with schizophrenia: A case-control study. Dementia & Neuropsychologia. v.5, p.99-103, 2011. (Impact Factor: not measured). DOI: 10.1590/S1980-57642011DN05020007

1. Formolo, D. A., Cheng, T., Yu, J., Kranz, G. S., Zhang, S., Yau, S. Y. (Oral presentation) High-Intensity Interval Training Activates a Frontothalamic Circuit to Modulate Affect-Related Behavior in Mice. 18^th FEPSAC European Congress of Sport and Exercise Psychology. Timișoara, Romania. 2026.
2. Formolo, D. A.; Cheng, Tong; Yau, S.Y. (Oral presentation). Adiponectin elicits rapid antidepressant effects in chronically stressed mice in association with increased glutamatergic activity in the mPFC. In: 35th CINP World Congress of Neuropsychopharmacology. Tokyo, Japan. 2024.
3. Cheng, T., Formolo, D. A.; Zonghao, Ma; Yau, S.Y. (Poster). The neural mechanism underlying the antidepressant effects elicited by a single bout of physical exercise. In: 35th CINP World Congress of Neuropsychopharmacology. Tokyo, Japan. P. 202, 2024. 
4. Yau, S.; Formolo, D. A.; Lee, T. H. (Poster). Activating adiponergic signaling by AdipoRon treatment elicits rapid antidepressant effect independent to changes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity. In: Society for Neuroscience – SfN. San Diego, US. 2022. 
5. Formolo, D. A.; Lee, T. H.; Yau, S. (Oral presentation). The vHipp-mPFC pathway in the modulation of antidepressant response. In: 33rd CINP Hybrid World Congress of Neuropsychopharmacology. Virtual and Taipei, Taiwan. P. 198, 2022.
6. Yau, S .; Lee, T. H.; Formolo, D. A. (Oral presentation). Adiponectin as a rapid-acting antidepressant: an investigation of its mechanisms of action. In: 33rd CINP Hybrid World Congress of Neuropsychopharmacology. Virtual and Taipei, Taiwan. P. 199, 2022.
7. Formolo, D. A., Osório, C. M., Thais, M. E., Vascouto, H. D., Franco, P. L. C., Hoeller, A. A., De Carvalho, C. R., Mariot, E., Ronsoni, M. F., Remor, A. P., Lopes, M. W. Leal, R. B. Marcelo, N. L., Lin, K., Latini, A. S., Walz, R. (Best poster award). Cognitive performance and mitochondrial respiration chain enzymatic activities in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy patients. In: Reunião Anual da Federação de Sociedades de Biologia Experimental - FeSBE, 2016, Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.
8. Franco, P. L. C.; Carvalho, C. R.; Imthon, A. K.; Santos, H. R.; Eidt, I.; Formolo, D. A.; Soares, F. M. S.; Constantino, L. C.; Walz, R.; Hoeller, A. A. (Poster) Cognitive and emotional performance of aged pentylenetetrazol-kindled rats. In: Reunião Anual da Federação de Sociedades de Biologia Experimental - FeSBE, 2016, Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.  
9. Drabowski, N.; Walz, R.; Pavei, J.; Paim, G.; Trofino, A.; Formolo, D. A. (Poster) Modulation of cortical electrical activity by deep brain stimulation of amygdala in rats. In: 1st IFAC Conference on Cyber-Physical & Human-Systems – CPHS, Florianopolis, Brazil.   
10. Thais, M.; Schwarzbold, M. L.; Cavallazzi, G. G.; Formolo, D. A.; Hohl, A.; Schmoeller, R.; Diaz, A.P.; Guarnieri, R.; Linhares, M. N.; Mader, M.; Walz, R. (Poster). A prospective study on the role of variables of the acute phase of trauma in the long-term cognitive outcome of severe traumatic brain injury. In: 9th Annual AACN Conference and Workshops, 2011, Washington, DC. Clin Neuropsychol, v.25, p.516-607, 2011.
11. Thais, M.; Cavallazzi, G. G.; Formolo, D. A.; Castro, L. D. C.; Schmoeller, R.; Guarnieri, R.; Schwarzbold, M. L.; Diaz, A.P.; Hohl, A.; Prediger, S. D. R.; Mader, M. J.; Linhares, M. N.; Markowitsch, H. J.; Walz, R. (Best poster award) Long-term cognitive prognosis of patients with severe traumatic brain injury: a prospective study. In: lI Reunião Anual do Instituto Brasileiro de Neuropsicologia e Comportamento, 2011, Recife, Brazil.  

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Email: daformolo@hksyu.edu