Our research team focuses on: 1) understanding how the brain and other parts of the central nervous system control movements of the body and 2) translating this knowledge to help individuals improve their recovery after a neurological injury (such as a stroke). We also translate this knowledge to help find ways to minimize age-related effects on movement control (such as reducing the risk of falling). We conduct research in university-based labs, in hospital-based labs and in the community using advanced measurement systems.
Dr. McIlroy is Senior Scientist and Co-site Director of the Sunnybrook Health Science Centre site of the Heart and Stroke Foundation Centre for Stroke Recovery. He is also Senior Scientist and Mobility Team Leader at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute.
Gage WH, Zabjek KF, Hill SW, McIlroy WE (2007) Parallels in control of voluntary and perturbation-evoked reach-to-grasp movements: EMG and kinematics. Exp Brain Research, 181: 627-637.
Maki BE, McIlroy WE(2006) Control of rapid limb movements for balance recovery: age-related changes and implications for fall prevention. Age & Ageing, 35-S2: ii12-ii18
Tang A, Sibley KM, Thomas SG, McIlroy WE, Brooks D (2006). Maximal exercise test results in subacute stroke. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 87:1100-1105
Adkin AL, Quant S, Maki BE, McIlroy WE (2006) Cortical responses associated with predictable or unpredictable compensatory balance reactions. Exp Brain Res.172: 85-93
Gladstone DJ, Danells CJ, Armesto A, McIlroy WE, Staines WR, Graham SJ, Hermann N, Szalai JP, Black SE (2005) Physiotherapy coupled with dextroamphetamine for rehabilitation after hemiparetic stroke: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Stroke 37:179-185 CA
Danells CJ, Black SE, Gladstone DJ, McIlroy WE (2004) Post stroke “pushing ”: Natural history and relationship to motor and functional recovery. Stroke 35: 2873-8. SRA
Nelson AJ, Staines WR, McIlroy WE (2004) Tactile stimulus predictability modulates activity in a tactile-motor cortical network. Exp Brain Res. 54: 22-32.
Staines W, Graham S, Black SE, McIlroy WE (2001) Bilateral movement enhances ipsilesional cortical activity in acute stroke patients: a pilot functional MRI study. Neurology 56: 401-404
Lab Links:
http://sunnybrook.ca/team/member.asp?t=12&m=115&page=172, http://www.torontorehab.com/research/mcilroy.htm