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Medical College of GeorgiaNeurosurgery
Neurosurgery
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Neurosurgery Research and Publications

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.

 

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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.

Current Research Topics

Click on profiles to access our faculty Google Scholar publication links

Faculty

Hyunwoo Do, MD

Endoscopic and Minimal invasive Spine Surgery, Spinal cord injuryHyunwoo Do, MD

Fernando L. Vale, MD

Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Surgery, Deep Brain Stimulation, Low-grade gliomas

Fernando L. Vale, MD

M. Salman Ali, MD

Skull Base, Pituitary Surgery

Scott Y. Rahimi, MD

Neuroendovascular, Stroke 

Samuel D. Macomson, MD

Hydrocephalus, Peripheral Nerve Surgery

Khoi Nguyen, MD

Pediatric Neurosurgery

Alexander Post, MD

Spine Surgery

John R. Vender, MD

Gamma Knife, Surgical Pain Management 

Research Labs

Krishnan Dhandapani, PhD

Traumatic Brain Injury, Hemorrhagic Stroke, NeuroinflammationKrishnan Dhandapani, PhD

Dave Blake, PhD

Neurophysiology, Behavior, Sensory Systems, Deep Brain Stimulation

Dave Blake, PhD

Molly Braun, PhD

Glymphatic System, Neuroimmunology, Traumatic Brain Injury, Neurodegeneration, Alzheimer's Disease

Molly Braun, PhD

Kumar Vaibhav, PhD

Cannabinoid, Neuroimmunology, Senescence, Brain Injury, ErythropoiesisKumar Vaibhav, PhD

Darrell W. Brann, PhD

Neuroscience, Endocrinology, NeuroendocrinologyDarrell W. Brann, PhD

Yujiao Lu, PhD

NeuroscienceYujiao Lu, PhD

Julia V. Fomitcheva, PhD

Neuroscience

Shannon Derthick, MSc

Medical Illustration, Medical Education, Patient Education, Healthcare VisualizationShannon Derthick, MSc

 

Recent Publications

Research papers

 

Publication
​

The origins of neurosurgery at the University of South Florida in Tampa Bay

Piper, K., Kumar, J. I., Smith, D., Freeman, T., Vale, F. L., Greenberg, M., Balis, G. & Van Loveren, H., Oct 2025, In: Journal of neurosurgery. 143, 4, p. 1121-1127 7 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

​

Tipping point in middle meningeal artery embolization: a cost-effectiveness and algorithm-based analysis

Debs, L. H., Rahimi, S. Y. & Vale, F. L., Oct 2025, In: Neurosurgical focus. 59, 4, E10.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

​

Surgery for mesial temporal pathology: a 26-year experience

Oliver, T. A., Lee, M. L., Piper, K. F., Ali, M. S. & Vale, F. L., Sep 1 2025, In: Journal of neurosurgery. 143, 3, p. 738-747 10 p.

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 thrombectomy

Gandhi, 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

​

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 hematoma

Debs, 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 study

Peterson, 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

​

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

​

Spreading depolarization causes reversible neuronal mitochondria fragmentation and swelling in healthy, normally perfused neocortex

Sword, 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

​

Single episode of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury leads to chronic neurological deficits and Alzheimer’s-like pathological dementia

Vaibhav, 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

​

Middle meningeal artery embolization following surgical evacuation of symptomatic chronic subdural hematoma improves outcomes, interim results of a prospective randomized trial

Debs, 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 Study

Rashidi, 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.e18

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

​

High Rate of Angiogram-Negative Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in a Rural Population: Role of Venous Drainage

Jones, E. D., Kaoutzani, L., Walker, S. E., Kollapaneni, S. S., Giurgiutiu, D. V. & Rahimi, S. Y., Aug 2024, In: World Neurosurgery. 188, p. e491-e496

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

​

A Mixed-Method Pilot Project: The Evaluation of Telehealth Training in a College of Nursing

Hamilton, 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 glioblastoma

Wang, 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 endarterectomy

Kaoutzani, 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 Video

Oliver, 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 trial

Johnson, 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 Medicine

Ahluwalia, 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

​

No change in network connectivity measurements between separate rsfMRI acquisition times

Neal, 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

​

Head Trauma: Etiology, Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestation, and Biomarkers

Goldman, 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

​

Non-dominant temporal lobe surgery: a case report of prosopagnosia following cavernous malformation resection

Debs, L. H., Patel, K. K., Moore-Hill, D. & Vale, F. L., Dec 2023, In: Acta Neurologica Belgica. 123, 6, p. 2349-2351 3 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter › peer-review

​

Revision and removal of vagus nerve stimulation systems: twenty-five years’ experience

Kaoutzani, 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 study

Youngerman, 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 Microenvironment

Khodadadi, 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 stroke

Lyden, 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

​

Recombinant human DNase-I improves acute respiratory distress syndrome via neutrophil extracellular trap degradation

Jarrahi, A., Khodadadi, H., Moore, N. S., Lu, Y., Awad, M. E., Salles, E. L., Vaibhav, K., Baban, B. & Dhandapani, K. M., Sep 2023, In: Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 21, 9, p. 2473-2484 12 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

​

Teaching NeuroImage: Calcifying Pseudoneoplasm of the Neuraxis in the Setting of Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia and Seizures

Debs, L. H., Helton, A., Belakhlef, S., Sharma, S. & Rahimi, S. Y., Aug 29 2023, In: Neurology. 101, 9, p. E982-E983

Research 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 Virus

Sellers, 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 Approach

Ahluwalia, M., Gaur, P. & Vaibhav, K., Jul 2023, In: Biomedicines. 11, 7, 1947.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Editorial › peer-review

​

Chronic basal forebrain activation improves spatial memory, boosts neurotrophin receptor expression, and lowers BACE1 and Aβ42 levels in the cerebral cortex in mice

Kumro, J., Tripathi, A., Lei, Y., Sword, J., Callahan, P., Terry, A., Lu, X. Y., Kirov, S. A., Pillai, A. & Blake, D. T., Jun 15 2023, In: Cerebral Cortex. 33, 12, p. 7627-7641 15 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

​

Glymphatics, Cranium, and the Brain Homeostasis

Zibitt, M., Makhoul, V., Yu, J. C., Nguyen, K. & Williams, J. K., Jun 2023, In: Face. 4, 2, p. 218-227 10 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

​

Plasticity of perisynaptic astroglia during ischemia-induced spreading depolarization

Fomitcheva, I. V., Sword, J., Shi, Y. & Kirov, S. A., May 1 2023, In: Cerebral Cortex. 33, 9, p. 5469-5483 15 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

​

Inflammaging, cellular senescence, and cognitive aging after traumatic brain injury

Lu, Y., Jarrahi, A., Moore, N., Bartoli, M., Brann, D. W., Baban, B. & Dhandapani, K. M., May 2023, In: Neurobiology of Disease. 180, 106090.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

​

Headache, vision changes and cranial nerve palsy after head trauma

Kaoutzani, L. & Rahimi, S. Y., Apr 2023, In: JACEP Open. 4, 2, e12938.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

​

Altered endocannabinoid metabolism compromises the brain-CSF barrier and exacerbates chronic deficits after traumatic brain injury in mice

Ahluwalia, M., Mcmichael, H., Kumar, M., Espinosa, M. P., Bosomtwi, A., Lu, Y., Khodadadi, H., Jarrahi, A., Khan, M. B., Hess, D. C., Rahimi, S. Y., Vender, J. R., Vale, F. L., Braun, M., Baban, B., Dhandapani, K. M. & Vaibhav, K., Mar 2023, In: Experimental Neurology. 361, 114320.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

​

The time dimension to stroke: Circadian effects on stroke outcomes and mechanisms

Kamat, P. K., Khan, M. B., Smith, C., Siddiqui, S., Baban, B., Dhandapani, K. & Hess, D. C., Jan 2023, In: Neurochemistry International. 162, 105457.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

​

Senolytic therapy is neuroprotective and improves functional outcome long-term after traumatic brain injury in mice

Wang, J., Lu, Y., Carr, C., Dhandapani, K. M. & Brann, D. W., 2023, In: Frontiers in Neuroscience. 17, 1227705.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

​

Novel mechanism of hypoxic neuronal injury mediated by non-excitatory amino acids and astroglial swelling

Álvarez-Merz, I., Fomitcheva, I. V., Sword, J., Hernández-Guijo, J. M., Solís, J. M. & Kirov, S. A., Nov 2022, In: Glia. 70, 11, p. 2108-2130 23 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

​

Understanding Acquired Brain Injury: A Review

Goldman, L., Siddiqui, E. M., Khan, A., Jahan, S., Rehman, M. U., Mehan, S., Sharma, R., Budkin, S., Kumar, S. N., Sahu, A., Kumar, M. & Vaibhav, K., Sep 2022, In: Biomedicines. 10, 9, 2167.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

​

Correction to: The influence of instructional rounds on teacher metacognition in a middle school context (SN Social Sciences, (2022), 2, 8, (139), 10.1007/s43545-022-00441-5)

Hamilton, W., Jennings, B., Scoggins, K. & Townsend, H., Sep 2022, In: SN Social Sciences. 2, 9, 178.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

View All Publications.


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