Walker, Mark, M.D.

Research Statement

My research focuses on the brain's control of eye movements and vestibular reflexes for vision and balance. A particular focus is the neural control of the vestibular reflexes that respond to linear accelerations (head translations and gravity), the impairment of these reflexes in neurological diseases, and how such deficits affect balance and locomotion. 

Professional Affiliations

  • Investigator, Cleveland FES Center
  • Staff Neurologist, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
  • Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

Publications

  • Liao K, Walker MF, Joshi AC, Reschke M, Strupp M, Wagner J, Leigh RJ. The linear vestibulo-ocular reflex, locomotion and falls in neurological disorders. Restor Neurol Neurosci. 2010;28(1):91-103. Review. PubMed PMID: 20086286
  • Walker MF, Tian J, Shan X, Ying H, Tamargo RJ, Zee DS. Enhancement of the bias component of downbeat nystagmus after lesions of the nodulus and uvula. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009 May;1164:482-5. PubMed PMID: 19645954; PubMed Central PMCID:PMC2758645.
  • Liao K, Walker MF, Joshi A, Reschke M, Strupp M, Leigh RJ. The human vertical translational vestibulo-ocular reflex. Normal and abnormal responses. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009 May;1164:68-75. PubMed PMID: 19645882; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2858323.
  • Joshi AC, Thurtell MJ, Walker MF, Serra A, Leigh RJ. Effect of vergence on human ocular following response (OFR). J Neurophysiol. 2009 Jul;102(1):513-22.  Epub 2009 May 20. PubMed PMID: 19458151; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2712258.
  • Liao K, Walker MF, Joshi A, Reschke M, Wang Z, Leigh RJ. A reinterpretation of the purpose of the translational vestibulo-ocular reflex in human subjects. Prog Brain Res. 2008;171:295-302. PubMed PMID: 18718317.
  • Walker MF, Tian J, Shan X, Tamargo RJ, Ying H, Zee DS. Lesions of the cerebellar nodulus and uvula in monkeys: effect on otolith-ocular reflexes. Prog Brain Res. 2008;171:167-72. PubMed PMID: 18718296; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2718056.

Research Programs

  • Neural processing of vestibular signals for the control of eye movements and balance
  • Study of vestibular reflexes in neurological diseases
  • Mechanisms of imbalance after traumatic brain injury

Contact Information

Contact Name: Mark Walker
Contact Email: Mark.walker@case.edu