Sarah Kraeutner

(She, Her, Hers)

Assistant Professor

Psychology

Office: ASC 204
Email: sarah.kraeutner@ubc.ca

Research Summary

Motor learning; motor imagery; stroke-related neuroscience; neuroimaging; non-invasive brain stimulation

Courses & Teaching

PSYO 230 Biopsychology of Behaviour

Biography

Dr. Sarah Kraeutner is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and the lead investigator of the NIMBL (Neuroplasticity, Imagery, and Motor Behaviour Lab) at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan. Dr. Kraeutner received her PhD in Psychology & Neuroscience at Dalhousie University in 2019 as a Killam Laureate. Prior to her current position, she was a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Fellow at the University of British Columbia – Vancouver, in the Department of Physical Therapy.

Websites

Neuroplasticity, Imagery, and Motor Behaviour Laboratory

Degrees

BSc (Hons), University of Victoria
MSc, Dalhousie University
PhD, Dalhousie University

Research Interests & Projects

The NIMBL is dedicated to research in the areas of motor learning and stroke-related neuroscience, encompassing both basic and applied neuroscience. Our overarching goal is to improve motor learning and relearning after brain injury. Basic work focuses on understanding brain function and plasticity associated with motor learning through non-physical forms of practice. Applied work focuses on informing, developing, and testing interventions using non-physical forms of practice, and tools to aid such practice, to promote recovery after stroke.

Selected Publications & Presentations

Google Scholar

Kraeutner SN, McArthur JL, Kraeutner PH, Westwood DA, Boe SG. Leveraging the effector independent nature of motor imagery when it is paired with physical practice. Scientific Reports, 2020 10: 21335. (open access)

Kraeutner SN, Stratas A, McArthur JL, Helmick CA, Westwood DA, & Boe SG. Neural and behavioural outcomes differ following equivalent bouts of motor imagery or physical practice. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 2020; 32(8), 1590:1606.

Kraeutner SN, Eppler SN, Stratas, A & Boe SG. Generate, maintain, manipulate? Exploring the multidimensional nature of motor imagery. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 2020; 48, 101673.

Kraeutner SN, El-Serafi M, Lee JW, Boe SG. Disruption of motor imagery performance following inhibition of the left inferior parietal lobe. Neuropsychologia, 2019; 127:106-112.

Kraeutner SN, McWhinney SR, Solomon JP, Dithurbide L, Boe SG. Experience modulates motor imagery-based brain activity. European Journal of Neuroscience, 2018; 47; 10: 1221-1229.

Boe SG, Kraeutner SN. Assessing motor imagery ability through imagery-based learning: an overview and introduction to MiScreen, a mobile app for imagery assessment. Imagination, Cognition & Personality, 2018 37(4): 430-447.

Kraeutner S, Gionfriddo A, Bardouille T, Boe S. Motor imagery-based brain activity parallels that of motor execution: evidence from magnetic source imaging of cortical oscillations. Brain Research 2014.

Bardouille T., Boe S., & Kraeutner S., “Systems and methods for providing neurofeedback during motor imagery”, 2015 U.S. Provisional Patent; 62/269, 622, December 2015.

Selected Grants & Awards

Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research – Research Trainee (Postdoctoral) Award

Canadian Institutes for Health Research – Fellowship

Brain Repair Centre – Knowledge Translation Programme Grant

Governor General’s Gold Medal – Natural Sciences and Engineering, Dalhousie University

Professional Services/Affiliations/Committees

Research in Imagery and Observation