Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University

Associate Member, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, McGill University

Dr. Roberta La Piana leads the white matter interdisciplinary team lab located at the Montreal Neurological Institute. Her work focuses on investigating genetic white matter disorders and their overlap with acquired myelin disorders, such as the multiple sclerosis spectrum. She has developed a comprehensive research program aimed at:

 

1. Identifying new forms of adult hereditary white matter disorders and their causal genes

2. Enhancing our abilities to discriminate between genetic leukoencephalopathies and acquired myelin disorders

3. Defining novel diagnostic pointers and imaging biomarkers in hereditary spastic paraparesis and ataxias by investigating the presence of white matter abnormalities

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Dr. La Piana has uniquely established herself as a leader in the field of adult-onset leukodystrophies with the first and only adult leukodystrophy research program in Canada, addressing a critical gap in the continuum of care for leukodystrophy patients.

 

Her leadership in the field extends globally through the creation of the White Matter Rounds, a pioneering initiative that brings together clinicians, researchers, and collaborators from around the world to discuss challenging cases of undiagnosed adult white matter disorders. This forum has catalyzed international cooperation, improved diagnostic accuracy and fostered innovative research in adult leukodystrophies, ​​​​