MD CM, DPhil
Professor, Department of Neurology &
Neurosurgery
McGill University
Dr. Lesley Fellows is a neurologist specializing in disorders of cognition. She has a particular interest in the functions of the frontal lobes. Her research programme focuses on the brain basis of decision making in humans, using the tools of cognitive neuroscience. She studies how focal brain damage or neurochemical dysfunction affects all aspects of decision making, how options are generated and organized, how they are valued and compared, and how choices are made. She is also interested in more general questions about the roles of the frontal lobes in the regulation of emotion, the expression of personality traits, and the representation of past and future information. This work has relevance for understanding impaired executive function following frontal lobe injury from aneurysm rupture, stroke, or tumour growth, as well as in degenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease and some forms of dementia. It also provides insights into how the component processes that underly decision making are carried out in the intact brain.
lesley.fellows [at] mcgill.ca (Email) lesley[dot]fellows[at]mcgill[dot]ca
Coursework
Fall 2012: NEUR 602. Current Topics in Neuroscience.
In the media
The Forum, BBC, ''Neural basis of self-control'', Dec. 29, 2014.
Montreal Gazette, "Decisions: We're maxed out, say Montreal researchers", Jan. 21, 2012. Archived pdf
Neurology Today, "Status: More Facebook Friends, Larger Brain Structures Important to Social Cognition, Study Finds", Nov. 17, 2011
ScienceDaily, "Decision-Making: What You Want Vs. How You Get It", Oct. 23, 2011
Why Brenda Milner is the Greatest McGillian, Jul. 15, 2011
Coupe de Pouce, "Mon cerveau est-il en forme?", Nov. 16, 2010
Quirks & Quarks, CBC Radio, "Neuroscience & the Law", May 19, 2007