Cognitive decline is common but highly variable in Parkinson’s disease, as well as following neurosurgical treatments such as deep brain stimulation (DBS). Our research seeks to characterize this heterogeneity and to identify individuals who may be especially vulnerable. We aim to refine neuropsychological assessments and improve the prediction of outcomes by developing new measures, investigating cognitive dysfunction beyond the classic dopamine-related framework, and accounting for diversity factors. In parallel, we study protective factors that contribute to quality of life and positive outcomes as experienced by patients and care partners. 

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Recent and ongoing projects:  

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• Examining the neural substrates of episodic memory difficulties and developing new measures to improve the prediction of cognitive outcomes. 

• Examining cultural and sex-related differences in neuropsychological assessments.  

• Building predictive models of cognitive outcome that integrate clinical and diversity factors. 

• Exploring links between cognitive decline, psychosis, and cholinergic basal forebrain degeneration. 

• Studying protective factors such as social support and their relationship to perceived outcomes and quality of life. 

 

We also collaborate with colleagues in neurology, neurosurgery, and other medical specialties on projects investigating the role of the basal ganglia in cognition and the cognitive effects of novel neuromodulation therapies.