Anthony Feinstein’s MS research has focused on determining cerebral correlates of depression and disorders of affect, the use of computers and distracters in eliciting cognitive dysfunction, and the behavioral effects of cannabis and the mechanisms underlying these behaviours. He was lead investigator on the CogEx trail, a six-country study determining the efficacy of treating cognitive impairment in people with progressive MS using high intensity aerobic exercise and cognitive rehabilitation. In 2023, he was honored with a ““Giants of MS” award from the Consortium of MS Centres and Neurology Live.
A second strand to his research relates to the study of journalists in conflict situations. He has published a series of seminal studies exploring the psychological effects of conflict on journalists covering the Balkans, Iraq, Mexico, Syria, Kenya, Iran, Afghanistan, the refugee crisis in Europe and the aftermath of the 9/11 attack on New York City. He currently consults to a number of news organizations including the Globe and Mail, CNN, the New York Times and Agence France Press
Education
- M.B.BCh, 1980, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
- MRCPsych, 1988, London
- M.Phil, 1990, University of London; Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine
- Ph.D, 1992, University of London; Institute of Neurology, Queen Square
- FRCPC, 1996, Royal College, Canada
Appointments & Affiliations
- Associate Scientist, Physical Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Professor, Department of psychiatry, University of Toronto
Research Foci
- Conflict journalism
- Multiple sclerosis
Affiliated Labs & Programs
Selected Publications
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Feinstein, A., Amato, M. P., Brichetto, G., Chataway, J., Chiaravalloti, N. D., Cutter, G., Dalgas, U., DeLuca, J., Farrell, R., Feys, P., Filippi, M., Freeman, J., Inglese, M., Meza, C., Motl, R. W., Rocca, M. A., Sandroff, B. M., Salter, A., & CogEx Research Team. (2023). Cognitive rehabilitation and aerobic exercise for cognitive impairment in people with progressive multiple sclerosis (CogEx): A randomised, blinded, sham-controlled trial. The Lancet Neurology, 22(10), 912–924.
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Marchetti S, Feinstein A. (2024) The Psychological Health of Iranian Citizens Protesting the Actions of Their Country's Morality Police: La santé psychologique des citoyens iraniens qui manifestent contre les actions de la police des mœurs de leur pays. Can J Psychiatry, Dec;69(12):861-868. doi: 10.1177/07067437241295638. Epub 2024 Nov 10. PMID: 39523529; PMCID: PMC11562944.
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Feinstein A, Meza C, Staines R, Stefan C. (2019) Coming off cannabis: a cognitive and MRI study. Brain, 142, 2800-2812. DOI:
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Feinstein A. (2019). Wordsworth, Bellow and understanding multiple sclerosis. Lancet Neurology June 14, 2019
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Feinstein A, Voon V. (2021) Understanding conversion disorder: How contemporary brain imaging is shedding light on an early Freudian concept. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 41:353-357. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.07.013. Epub 2021 Jul 14.PMID: 34304040