Our lab studies cognitive health in individuals with multiple sclerosis. We have an active research program that evaluates various aspects of cognition in this population. Our current focus is in the following areas:
- cognitive fatigability
- cognitive rehabilitation
- the impact of exercise on cognition
- needs of the 2SLGBTQIA+ MS population
Past areas of interest have included:
- the impact of stem-cell therapies on cognition
- the relationship between cognition and biomarkers of disease (e.g. imaging, sNfL)
- the assessment of cognition (e.g. psychometrics)
Our lab consists of a number of dedicated health professionals who are passionate about what we do. It is our collective goal to improve the quality of life in those people with MS whom we serve.
Visit the Lab WebsiteDonkers, S. J. & Walker, L.A.S. (2025). An interdisciplinary approach is necessary in the treatment of cognitive decline in MS – Yes. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 31(3): 257-259. https://doi.org/10.1177/13524585251315344
Walker, L.A.S., Berard, J.A., Islam, T., Pilutti, L.A., Morrow, S.A. & Finlayson, M. (2022). Development of a behavioural intervention for cognitive fatigability in multiple sclerosis: Protocol for a pilot and feasibility study. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 3:999266. (published on-line 16 November 2022). https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2022.999266/full
Berard, J.A. & Walker, L.A.S. (2022). Validity and Sensitivity of Canadian Normative Data for the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in Multiple Sclerosis (MACFIMS) Battery. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 63, 103865. (published on-line 10 May 2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2022.103865
Berard, J.A., Freedman, M.S., Marrie, R.A., Marriott, J.J., Atkins, H.L., Szwajcer, D., Courtman, D.W., Thebault, S. & Walker, L.A.S. (2022). The impact of mesenchymal stem cell therapy on cognition in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, 61, 1-8, 103779 (published on-line 27 March 2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2022.103779
Berard, J.A. & Walker, L.A.S. (2021). Increasing the clinical utility of the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test: Normative data for standard performance, dyad and cognitive fatigability scoring. Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, 34(2), 107-116. https://doi:10.1097/WNN.0000000000000268. PMID: 34074865
Atkins, H.L., Bowman, M., Allan, D., Anstee, G., Arnold, D.L., Bar-Or, A., Bence-Bruckler, I., Birch, P., Bredeson, C., Chen, J., Fergusson, D., Halpenny, M., Hamelin, L., Heubsch, L., Hutton, B., Laneuville, P., Lapierre, Y., Lee, H., Martin, L., McDiarmid, S., O’Connor, P., Ramsay, T., Sabloff, M., Walker, L.A.S. & Freedman, M.S. (2016; 6-12 Aug). Immunoablation and autologous haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation for aggressive multiple sclerosis: a multicentre single-group phase 2 trial. The Lancet, 388 (10044), 576-585, (online 9 June 2016) http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30169-6 PMID: 27291994
