BSc MSc MA PhD Oregon

Professor

Research Interests

A. Motor Control and Motor Skill Learning: The Human Motor Control Laboratory is devoted to the study of both the neural correlates of human motor control and the cognitive and dynamical constraints on the production of movement. The laboratory incorporates tools from the disciplines of psychology, neurophysiology, mathematics and physics.
B. Sport Psychology: For a number of years I have maintained an interest in the field of sport psychology. My work in this area has examined the development of expertise, the process of addiction to exercise, the relationship between cognitive skills and athletic performance and, psychosocial factors related to athletic injury.

Research Areas:

• Human Movement and Neuroscience Lab  Read More

Units

• KHA101 - Psychology 1A
  
• KHA102 - Psychology 1B
  
• KHA314 - Learning & Skilled Performance
  

Selected Publications:

• Summers, J.J., Kagerer, F.A., Garry, M.I., Hiraga, C.Y., Loftus, A., & Cauraugh, J.H., 2007, 'Bilateral and unilateral movement training on upper limb function in chronic stroke patients: A TMS study', Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 252, pgs. 76-82
• Johnson, S., Summers, J., & Pridmore, S, 2006, 'Changes to somatosensory detection and pain thresholds following high frequency repetitive TMS of the motor cortex in individuals suffering from chronic pain', Pain, 123, pgs. 187-192
• Meesen, R., Wenderoth, N., Temprado, J-J., Summers, J., & Swinnen, S, 2006, 'The coalition of constraints during coordination of the ipsilateral and heterolateral limbs.', Experimental Brain Research, 174, pgs. 367-375
• Mathews, A., Garry, M.I., Martin, F., & Summers, J.J, 2006, 'Neural correlates of performance trade-offs and dual-task interference in bimanual coordination: An ERP investigation.', Neuroscience Letters, 400, pgs. 172-176
• Garry, M.I., Loftus, A.M., & Summers, J.J, 2005, 'Mirror, mirror on the wall: viewing a mirror reflection of unilateral hand movements facilitates ipsilateral M1.', Experimental Brain Research, 163, pgs. 118-122
• Garry, MI., van Steenis, R.E., & Summers, J.J., 2005, 'Interlimb coordination following stroke', Human Movement , 24, pgs. 849-864

Full Publication List

Current and Supervised Project/s:

• Altered corticomotor representations in patients with Parkinson’s disease
• Attentional costs of sustaining and changing movement patterns
• Interlimb coordination dynamics in stroke
• Neural correlates of performance trade-offs and interference in dual tasks
• Work-related shoulder pain and Levator Scapulae muscle tension
• Ipsilateral pathways and bimanual coordination stability
• Dynamics of coordination in ADHD
• Use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the relief of chronic pain
• The Role of the Personality Traits of Conscientiousness and Impulsivity in Risk Taking Behaviours among Regular Ecstasy Users: A Pilot Study
• A longitudinal study of neuropsychological and neuromotor effects of low level manganese exposure