Exercise Neuroscience Research Laboratory

Congratulations to Dr. Sydney DeJonge on successfully defending her dissertation! The ENRL is proud to have had Sydney as part of the lab, and we are so excited to see all the great work that she will continue to do. Thank you for all your contributions to vital research and to the community!

The Exercise Neuroscience Research Laboratory had a wonderful experience at CMSC 2026! We are extremely grateful to everyone who contributed to making it a great conference. More photos to come of the lab's presentations, posters, and awards!

Happening TODAY! Learn more about how vascular function impacts the muscle-oxygenation process when walking in persons with multiple sclerosis from Dr. Brenda Jeng. We are proud of all the researchers presenting their work at CMSC this year!

Stop in at the Rehabilitation Platform session at CMSC to hear a presentation from Louise Declerck, PhD about knowledge of exercise guidelines for MS among those living with MS in the U.S.

See the full CMSC agenda here:https://cmscscholar.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026agenda.pdf

The INTERSECT-MS study at the University of La Verne seeks to better understand the lived experiences of adults with multiple sclerosis. The goal is to learn how social factors, identity, and life experiences may shape mental and physical health. Adults age 18 or older who live in the U.S. and have been diagnosed with MS may be eligible to complete a confidential online survey in English or Spanish. At the end of the survey, participants may also choose to share their interest in an optional virtual focus group; additional eligibility applies. For more information, please click on the survey link: bit.ly/intersect-ms

Dr. Parisa Najafi from the ENRL will be presenting a poster at CMSC! Visit her in Exhibit Hall B to learn more about outcomes associated with Pilates in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Robert Motl, the director of the Exercise Neuroscience Research Laboratory at UIC, has been awarded as a Giants of Multiple Sclerosis honoree in recognition of his research. The awards ceremony will take place at CMSC on Thursday, May 28 from 7-9 PM EDT.

Congratulations, Rob! Thank you to NeurologyLive and CMSC!

Learn more about the Giants of Multiple Sclerosis inductees: https://www.mjhlifesciences.com/neurologylive-and-cmsc-announce-the-fifth-class-of-giants-of-multiple-sclerosis-inductees/
Register for the awards ceremony: https://registration.neurologylive.com/gms-5-28-26

"Exercise training has been proposed as a behavior with potential disease-modifying properties in MS, such that benefits extend beyond symptom management and rehabilitation alone."

In this paper, researchers Trevor Martin, Noah Dubose, and Robert Motl explain the rationale that supports a focus on exercise training and biomarkers in MS.

Read more in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23030380

"Hispanic adults with MS often experience a disproportionately high disease burden and worse functional outcomes ... compared with non-Hispanic counterparts." Evidence supports physical activity as management of MS symptoms, yet several studies have reported disproportionately low levels of physical activity among Hispanics with multiple sclerosis.

This study measured physical activity levels and social cognitive theory constructs among Hispanic and non-Hispanic adults with MS. The results suggest the utility of social cognitive theory as a basis for interventions promoting physical activity in Hispanic and non-Hispanic adults with MS.

Read more in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2026.107152

Parisa Najafi, Victoria A. Flores, Peixuan Zheng, Robert W. Motl

Come see Dr. Lexi Huynh's poster at CMSC on May 28! She will be presenting adherence findings from a pilot RCT involving a physical activity intervention for people newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. See image for more details!