
Our research program aims to identify prevention measures and effective treatments for patients with neurological disorders. Our research is divided into various subspecialties, such as Cerebral Hemorrhage, Movement Disorders, Neuroprotection & Inflammation, Epilepsy, Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, Neuro-Oncology, Vascular Malformations, Degenerative Spine Disorders, Pediatric conditions and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). A strong collaboration between Basic Neuroscientists and Clinical Neurosurgeons is critical to the success of our mission.
Patients with specific neurosurgical conditions, who meet study-specific criteria, are invited to participate in our clinical research studies. Our clinical research activities are coordinated by a dedicated team of trained research coordinators, advanced practice providers, nurses, and therapists. Our research faculty have subspecialty training that includes research methodology, and all research is conducted under the oversight of Central and Local Institutional Review Boards. Our research funding is derived from a combination of medical industry sponsors and the National Institute of Health.
We offer a wide variety of research opportunities with our largest research projects reaching an international level and including dozens of qualified medical centers. In addition to large, multicenter clinical research, we also conduct many smaller scale investigations that involve our medical students, neurology and neurosurgery trainees.

These smaller local projects introduce future physicians to research methodology as well as the essential elements of the ethical and scientific standards associated with Good Clinical Practice in human research. The findings from our local research are presented at regional and national scientific meetings.
As a research unit, we strive to make scientific discoveries to improve the healthcare of patients with acute and chronic neurological conditions.
Faculty
Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Surgery, Deep Brain Stimulation, Low-grade gliomas
Research Labs
Glymphatic System, Neuroimmunology, Traumatic Brain Injury, Neurodegeneration, Alzheimer's Disease
Residents
Neurosurgery Research Publications
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​ Evaluating tocilizumab in ischemic stroke: Findings from the SPAN multicenter trialChauhan, A., Lee, E. A., Patel, R. B., Kumskova, M., Leira, E. C., Chauhan, A. K., Shi, Y., Cao, S., Koehler, R. C., Dhandapani, K. M., Khan, M. B., Kamat, P. K., Arbab, A., Hess, D. C., Herman, A. L., Boisserand, L., Sansing, L. H., Morais, A., Jin, X. & Aykan, S. & 8 others, Imai, T., Ayata, C., Nagarkatti, K. A., Lamb, J., Diniz, M. A., Lyden, P. D., McCullough, L. D. & Aronowski, J., Mar 1 2026, In: Neuropharmacology. 285, 110801.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Delivery management and related complications in pregnant women with brain arteriovenous malformation: A systematic reviewArjipour, M., Rezaei, M., Yeganeh, S. A., Sabahi, M., Irani, A. D. & Rahimi, S. Y., Jan 2026, In: World Neurosurgery: X. 29, 100551.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review |
​ Brain Injury and Neurodegeneration: Molecular, Functional, and Translational Approach 3.0Gaur, P., Ahluwalia, M., Ahluwalia, P. & Vaibhav, K., Dec 2025, In: Biomedicines. 13, 12, 3096.Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review |
​ Fingolimod as a Potential Cerebroprotectant Results From the Stroke Preclinical Assessment NetworkBoisserand, L. S. B., Herman, A. L., Sanganahalli, B. G., Mihailovic, J., Beatty, H. E., Johnson, C. W., Diaz, S., DeLong, J. H., Velazquez, S., Grutzendler, J., Dela Cruz, C., Zhou, J., Sheth, K. N., Matouk, C., Zhan, S., Morais, A., Imai, T., Chauhan, A., Patel, R. B. & Kumskova, M. & 19 others, Shi, Y., Avery, B. D., Lamb, J., Nagarkatti, K. A., Khan, M. B., Kamat, P. K., Dhandapani, K. M., McCullough, L. D., Aronowski, J., Hess, D., Koehler, R. C., Lyden, P., Leira, E. C., Chauhan, A. K., Ayata, C., Chen, M. H., Diniz, M. A., Hyder, F. & Sansing, L. H., Nov 18 2025, In: Stroke. 56, 11, p. 3280-3293 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Tipping point in middle meningeal artery embolization: a cost-effectiveness and algorithm-based analysisDebs, L. H., Rahimi, S. Y. & Vale, F. L., Oct 2025, In: Neurosurgical focus. 59, 4, E10.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Multicenter Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network Analysis of Cardiovascular Risk Factor Subgroups Treated With the Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibitor Veliparibbehalf of the SPAN investigators, Sep 25 2025, In: Journal of the American Heart Association. 14, 19, e040914.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Determinants of Outcome After Endovascular Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Rats in the SPAN TrialJin, X., Morais, A., Imai, T., Lamb, J., Nagarkatti, K., Boisserand, L., Beatty, H. E., Sansing, L. H., Khan, M. B., Dhandapani, K., Kamat, P., Hess, D. C., Patel, R. B., Kumskova, M., Chauhan, A. K., McCullough, L. D., Aronowski, J., Leira, E. C., Shi, Y. & Avery, B. D. & 3 others, Koehler, R. C., Lyden, P. D. & Ayata, C., Sep 2025, In: Stroke. 56, 9, p. 2734-2747 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Randomized Clinical Trials in Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery: Analysis of Discontinuation and Nonpublication Prevalence and TrendsButler, M., Kaoutzani, L. & Rahimi, S., Jul 2025, In: World Neurosurgery. 199, 124159.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ SOFIA Aspiration System as first-line Technique (SOFAST): a prospective, multicenter study to assess the efficacy and safety of the 6 French SOFIA Flow Plus aspiration catheter for endovascular stroke thrombectomyGandhi, D., Chen, H., Zaidi, S., Sahlein, D. H., Maidan, L., Kreitel, K., Miller, T. R., Rahimi, S., Shekhlee, A. A., Woo, H. H., Toth, G., Schirmer, C., Loh, Y. & Fiorella, D., Jul 1 2025, In: Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery. 17, 7, p. 753-758 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Time Dimension Influences Severity of Stroke and Heightened Immune Response in MiceKamat, P. K., Khan, M. B., Siddiqui, S., Williams, D., da Silva Lopes Salles, E., Naeini, S. E., Arbab, A. S., Rudic, D. R., Baban, B., Dhandapani, K. M. & Hess, D. C., Apr 2025, In: Translational Stroke Research. 16, 2, p. 421-437 17 p., e571.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Uric Acid Stroke Cerebroprotection Transcended Sex, Age, and Comorbidities in a Multicenter Preclinical TrialPatel, R. B., Kumskova, M., Kodali, H., Budnik, I., Kuznetsov, V., Jain, A., Jha, A., Thedens, D., Dhanesha, N., Sutariya, B., Nagarkatti, K. A., Lamb, J., Kamat, P., Shi, Y., Avery, B., Imai, T., Jin, X., Chauhan, A., Boisserand, L. S. B. & Khan, M. B. & 14 others, Dhandapani, K., Sanganahalli, B. G., Sansing, L. H., Hess, D. C., Koehler, R. C., McCullough, L. D., Aronowski, J., Ayata, C., Diniz, M. A., Lyden, P. D., Planas, A. M., Chamorro, A., Chauhan, A. K. & Leira, E. C., Apr 1 2025, In: Stroke. 56, 4, p. 965-973 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Time of day dependent reduction in stroke infarct volume by the Reverb agonist SR9009 in miceKamat, P. K., Khan, M. B., Siddiqui, S., Hattaway, T. G., Anas, A., Rudic, R. D., Baban, B., Dhandapani, K. M. & Hess, D. C., Feb 2025, In: Experimental Neurology. 384, 115067.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Optimization of seizure prevention by cannabidiol (CBD)Bhandari, B., Naeini, S. E., Rezaee, S., Rogers, H. M., Khodadadi, H., Bosomtwi, A., Seyyedi, M., MacKinnon, N. J., Dhandapani, K. M., Salles, É. L., Hess, D. C., Yu, J. C., Moore-Hill, D., Vale, F. L., Wang, L. P. & Baban, B., Jan 1 2025, In: Translational Neuroscience. 16, 1, 20220362.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Modeling Obesity and Weight Loss in Mice Using Novel AAV ApproachesSellers, H. G., Brown, Z. L., Khalil, N. S., Haigh, S. B., Shivers, M. A., Patel, T. V., Joshua, A. T., Weintraub, N. L., Barman, S. A., Belin de Chantemele, E. J., Kirov, S. A., Stepp, D. W. & Fulton, D. J. R., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Obesity.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Effects of low-intensity pulsed focal ultrasound-mediated delivery of endothelial progenitor-derived exosomes in tMCAo strokeAlptekin, A., Khan, M. B., Parvin, M., Chowdhury, H., Kashif, S., Selina, F. A., Bushra, A., Kelleher, J., Ghosh, S., Williams, D., Blumling, E., Ara, R., Bosomtwi, A., Frank, J. A., Dhandapani, K. M. & Arbab, A. S., 2025, In: Frontiers in Neurology. 16, 1543133.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Spreading depolarization causes reversible neuronal mitochondria fragmentation and swelling in healthy, normally perfused neocortexSword, J., Fomitcheva, I. V. & Kirov, S. A., Dec 2024, In: Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism. 44, 12, p. 1561-1579 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Newer treatment paradigm improves outcomes in the most common neurosurgical disease of the elderly: a literature review of middle meningeal artery embolization for chronic subdural hematomaDebs, L. H., Walker, S. E. & Rahimi, S. Y., Dec 2024, In: GeroScience. 46, 6, p. 6537-6561 25 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review |
​ Clinical safety and feasibility of a novel implantable neuroimmune modulation device for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: initial results from the randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled RESET-RA studyPeterson, D., Van Poppel, M., Boling, W., Santos, P., Schwalb, J., Eisenberg, H., Mehta, A., Spader, H., Botros, J., Vrionis, F. D., Ko, A., Adelson, P. D., Lega, B., Konrad, P., Calle, G., Vale, F. L., Bucholz, R. & Richardson, R. M., Dec 2024, In: Bioelectronic Medicine. 10, 1, 8.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Single episode of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury leads to chronic neurological deficits and Alzheimer’s-like pathological dementiaVaibhav, K., Gulhane, M., Ahluwalia, P., Kumar, M., Ahluwalia, M., Rafiq, A. M., Amble, V., Zabala, M. G., Miller, J. B., Goldman, L., Mondal, A. K., Deak, F., Kolhe, R., Arbab, A. S. & Vale, F. L., Dec 2024, In: GeroScience. 46, 6, p. 5439-5457 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Experience with a hybrid recruitment approach of patient-facing web portal screening and subsequent phone and medical record review for a neurosurgical intervention trial for chronic ischemic stroke disability (PISCES III)Kolls, B. J., Muir, K. W., Savitz, S. I., Wechsler, L. R., Pilitsis, J. G., Rahimi, S., Beckman, R. L., Holmes, V., Chen, P. R., Albers, D. S. & Laskowitz, D. T., Dec 2024, In: Trials. 25, 1, 150.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Boosting Acetylcholine Signaling by Cannabidiol in a Murine Model of Alzheimer’s DiseaseKhodadadi, H., Salles, É. L., Naeini, S. E., Bhandari, B., Rogers, H. M., Gouron, J., Meeks, W., Terry, A. V., Pillai, A., Yu, J. C., Morgan, J. C., Vaibhav, K., Hess, D. C., Dhandapani, K. M., Wang, L. P. & Baban, B., Nov 2024, In: International journal of molecular sciences. 25, 21, 11764.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Middle meningeal artery embolization following surgical evacuation of symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma improves outcomes, interim results of a prospective randomized trialDebs, L. H., Vale, F. L., Walker, S., Toro, D., Mansouri, S., Macomson, S. D. & Rahimi, S. Y., Oct 2024, In: Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. 128, 110783.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Pipeline Embolization Device and Flow Re-Direction Endoluminal Device for Intracranial Aneurysms: A Comparative Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis StudyRashidi, F., Habibi, M. A., Reyhani, M., Fallahi, M. S., Arshadi, M. R., Sabahi, M., Vakharia, K. & Rahimi, S. Y., Sep 2024, In: World Neurosurgery. 189, p. 399-409.e18Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review |
​ Biological and Procedural Predictors of Outcome in the Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network (SPAN) TrialMorais, A., Imai, T., Jin, X., Locascio, J. J., Boisserand, L., Herman, A. L., Chauhan, A., Lamb, J., Nagarkatti, K., Diniz, M. A., Kumskova, M., Dhanesha, N., Kamat, P. K., Khan, M. B., Dhandapani, K. M., Patel, R. B., Sutariya, B., Shi, Y., van Leyen, K. & Kimberly, W. T. & 8 others, Hess, D. C., Aronowski, J., Leira, E. C., Koehler, R. C., Chauhan, A. K., Sansing, L. H., Lyden, P. D. & Ayata, C., Aug 16 2024, In: Circulation research. 135, 5, p. 575-592 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ High Rate of Angiogram-Negative Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Rural Population: Role of Venous DrainageJones, E. D., Kaoutzani, L., Walker, S. E., Kollapaneni, S. S., Giurgiutiu, D. V. & Rahimi, S. Y., Aug 2024, In: World Neurosurgery. 188, p. e491-e496Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ A Mixed-Method Pilot Project: The Evaluation of Telehealth Training in a College of NursingHamilton, W., Walters, C. & Howington, Z., Jul 1 2024, In: Nursing Education Perspectives. 45, 4, p. 254-255 2 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Altering biomolecular condensates as a potential mechanism that mediates cannabidiol effect on glioblastomaWang, L. P., Chagas, P. S., Salles, É. L., Naeini, S. E., Gouron, J., Rogers, H. M., Khodadadi, H., Bhandari, B., Alptekin, A., Qin, X., Vaibhav, K., Costigliola, V., Hess, D. C., Dhandapani, K. M., Arbab, A. S., Rutkowski, M., Yu, J. C. & Baban, B., Jun 2024, In: Medical Oncology. 41, 6, 140.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Carotid artery dissection and non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage following carotid endarterectomyKaoutzani, L., Garcia, K. A. & Rahimi, S. Y., May 1 2024, In: Journal of Surgical Case Reports. 2024, 5, rjae331.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ The Inferior Temporal Gyrus Approach to Mesial Basal Temporal Lobe Surgery: 2-Dimensional Operative VideoOliver, T., Kelly, A. & Vale, F. L., Apr 1 2024, In: Operative Neurosurgery. 26, 4, p. 472-473 2 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Indoximod-based chemo-immunotherapy for pediatric brain tumors: A first-in-children phase I trialJohnson, T. S., MacDonald, T. J., Pacholczyk, R., Aguilera, D., Al-Basheer, A., Bajaj, M., Bandopadhayay, P., Berrong, Z., Bouffet, E., Castellino, R. C., Dorris, K., Eaton, B. R., Esiashvili, N., Fangusaro, J. R., Foreman, N., Fridlyand, D., Giller, C., Heger, I. M., Huang, C. & Kadom, N. & 18 others, Kennedy, E. P., Manoharan, N., Martin, W., McDonough, C., Parker, R. S., Ramaswamy, V., Ring, E., Rojiani, A., Sadek, R. F., Satpathy, S., Schniederjan, M., Smith, A., Smith, C., Thomas, B. E., Vaizer, R., Yeo, K. K., Bhasin, M. K. & Munn, D. H., Feb 1 2024, In: Neuro-Oncology. 26, 2, p. 348-361 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Incorporating Novel Technologies in Precision Oncology for Colorectal Cancer: Advancing Personalized MedicineAhluwalia, P., Ballur, K., Leeman, T., Vashisht, A., Singh, H., Omar, N., Mondal, A. K., Vaibhav, K., Baban, B. & Kolhe, R., Feb 2024, In: Cancers. 16, 3, 480.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review |
​ Head Trauma: Etiology, Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestation, and BiomarkersGoldman, L., Espinosa, M. P., Kumar, M., Debs, L. H., Vale, F. L. & Vaibhav, K., Jan 1 2024, Mechanism and Genetic Susceptibility of Neurological Disorders. Springer Science+Business Media, p. 35-57 23 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter |
​ No change in network connectivity measurements between separate rsfMRI acquisition timesNeal, E. G., Schimmel, S., George, Z., Monsour, M., Alayli, A., Lockard, G., Piper, K., Maciver, S., Vale, F. L. & Bezchlibnyk, Y. B., 2024, In: Frontiers in Network Physiology. 4, 1342161.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Revision and removal of vagus nerve stimulation systems: twenty-five years’ experienceKaoutzani, L., Goldman, L. V., Piper, K., Kumar, M. & Vale, F. L., Dec 2023, In: Acta Neurochirurgica. 165, 12, p. 3913-3920 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Long-term outcomes of mesial temporal laser interstitial thermal therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy and subsequent surgery for seizure recurrence: A multi-centre cohort studyYoungerman, B. E., Banu, M. A., Khan, F., McKhann, G. M., Schevon, C. A., Jagid, J. R., Cajigas, I., Theodotou, C. B., Ko, A., Buckley, R., Ojemann, J. G., Miller, J. W., Laxton, A. W., Couture, D. E., Popli, G. S., Buch, V. P., Halpern, C. H., Le, S., Sharan, A. D. & Sperling, M. R. & 12 others, Mehta, A. D., Englot, D. J., Neimat, J. S., Konrad, P. E., Sheth, S. A., Neal, E. G., Vale, F. L., Holloway, K. L., Air, E. L., Schwalb, J. M., D'Haese, P. F. & Wu, C., Nov 1 2023, In: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 94, 11, p. 879-886 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Inhalant Cannabidiol Inhibits Glioblastoma Progression Through Regulation of Tumor MicroenvironmentKhodadadi, H., Salles, É. L., Alptekin, A., Mehrabian, D., Rutkowski, M., Arbab, A. S., Yeudall, W. A., Yu, J. C., Morgan, J. C., Hess, D. C., Vaibhav, K., Dhandapani, K. M. & Baban, B., Oct 1 2023, In: Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. 8, 5, p. 824-834 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ A multi-laboratory preclinical trial in rodents to assess treatment candidates for acute ischemic strokeLyden, P. D., Diniz, M. A., Bosetti, F., Lamb, J., Nagarkatti, K. A., Rogatko, A., Kim, S., Cabeen, R. P., Koenig, J. I., Akhter, K., Arbab, A. S., Avery, B. D., Beatty, H. E., Bibic, A., Cao, S., Boisserand, L. S. B., Chamorro, A., Chauhan, A., Diaz-Perez, S. & Dhandapani, K. & 29 others, Dhanesha, N., Goh, A., Herman, A. L., Hyder, F., Imai, T., Johnson, C. W., Khan, M. B., Kamat, P., Karuppagounder, S. S., Kumskova, M., Mihailovic, J. M., Mandeville, J. B., Morais, A., Patel, R. B., Sanganahalli, B. G., Smith, C., Shi, Y., Sutariya, B., Thedens, D., Qin, T., Velazquez, S. E., Aronowski, J., Ayata, C., Chauhan, A. K., Leira, E. C., Hess, D. C., Koehler, R. C., McCullough, L. D. & Sansing, L. H., Sep 20 2023, In: Science Translational Medicine. 15, 714, eadg8656.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Teaching NeuroImage: Calcifying Pseudoneoplasm of the Neuraxis in the Setting of Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia and SeizuresDebs, L. H., Helton, A., Belakhlef, S., Sharma, S. & Rahimi, S. Y., Aug 29 2023, In: Neurology. 101, 9, p. E982-E983Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Early Endothelial Dysfunction in a Novel Model of Sustained Hyperphagia and Obesity in Mice Using a Brain Targeting Adeno-Associated VirusSellers, H. G., Padgett, C. A., Mintz, J. D., Speese, A. C., Brown, Z. L., Haigh, S., Sword, J., Rosewater, C. L., Shivers, M. A., Barris, C. T., Kirov, S. A., Weintraub, N. L., Belin De Chantemele, E. J., Stepp, D. W. & Fulton, D. J. R., Aug 1 2023, In: Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology. 43, 8, p. 1592-1594 3 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review |
​ Brain Injury and Neurodegeneration: Molecular, Functional, and Translational ApproachAhluwalia, M., Gaur, P. & Vaibhav, K., Jul 2023, In: Biomedicines. 11, 7, 1947.Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review |