Research

Kristi Dietert Awarded Grant Position from the Translational Science Training (TST) TL1 Program at UT Health
May 5, 2021
The Department of Neurosurgery is proud to share the news that research trainee Kristi Dietert was recently awarded a grant position from the Translational Science Training (TST) TL1 Program at UT Health. The goal of this program is to enhance the quality and scope of the doctoral research experience by offering interdisciplinary training and mentorship […]
BOOST-3 Study Requests Public Comment and Feedback
April 22, 2021
UT Health San Antonio and University Health System will investigate two treatment strategies for people with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) who are undergoing intensive care. The BOOST-3 study will help determine if monitoring brain oxygen levels and acting on them quickly results in better outcomes for patients with severe TBI. At this time, the […]
Dr. Caron Co-Authors Intracerebral Hemorrhage Manuscript Derived from 20 Year Research Effort
January 28, 2021
Jean-Louis R. Caron, M.D., FRCS(c), FACS, recently co-authored a manuscript examining intracerebral hemorrhage volume reduction and intervention timing as they relate to functional benefit and patient survival. This manuscript is part of a series of papers published over the last few years involving our department’s intracerebral hemorrhage NIH trials. They are the culmination of a […]

Ali Seifi, MD, FACP, FNCS, Invents Device to Stop Hiccups
September 11, 2020
Department of Neurosurgery faculty member Ali Seifi, MD, FACP, FNCS, has invented a device to stop hiccups. Dr. Seifi’s device forces users to exert effort to suction water. Negative pressure in the chest pulls down the diaphragm, which activates the phrenic nerve. When water comes into the mouth and swallowing occurs, the vagus nerve is […]

Dr. Mascitelli Co-authors Paper Examining Mechanical Thrombectomy during COVID-19 Pandemic
September 1, 2020
Justin Mascitelli, M.D., recently co-authored an article in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery titled “International experience of mechanical thrombectomy during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from STAR and ENRG.” Dr. Mascitelli and his co-authors observed a low rate of COVID-19 among stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in low-COVID burden counties. They also reported that more […]
Faculty Members Publish Article Examining Impact of Ruptured Aneurysm Circulation on Mortality
July 31, 2020
Department of Neurosurgery faculty members Justin Mascitelli, M.D., and Ali Seifi, M.D., FACP, FNCS, recently coauthored an article for the Journal of Stoke and Cerebrovascular Diseases titled “Impact of Ruptured Aneurysm Circulation on Mortality: A Nationwide Inpatient Sample Analysis.” The study concluded that mortality following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is associated with posterior circulation aneurysms and […]
Faculty members Publish Article Presenting Postmarket Analysis of New Microstent
July 24, 2020
Department of Neurosurgery faculty members Lee Birnbaum, M.D., and Justin Mascitelli, M.D., recently coauthored an article for the American Journal of Radiology titled “Multicenter Postmarket Analysis of the Neuroform Atlas Stent for Stent-Assisted Coil Embolization of Intracranial Aneurysms.” Their article presents a multicenter analysis of the Neuroform Atlas, a new microstent designed to assist in […]
Faculty Members Publish Study Examining Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
July 20, 2020
Department of Neurosurgery faculty members Justin Mascitelli, M.D., and Ali Seifi, M.D., FACP, FNCS, recently coauthored an article for the official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons titled “Protective Effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Outcomes After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Nationwide Analysis.” Their study concluded that subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) […]

Dr. Birnbaum Publishes New Paper Examining Prehospital EMS Scales
July 8, 2020
Lee Birnbaum, M.D., recently published an article in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery entitled: “Paramedic utilization of Vision, Aphasia, Neglect (VAN) stroke severity scale in the prehospital setting predicts emergent large vessel occlusion stroke.” The study’s findings reinforce published evidence demonstrating that prehospital EMS scales, such as VAN, can be successfully incorporated into complex stroke care […]

Dr. Burma Publishes New Paper Exploring Specificity of Action by Resection Enzymes
July 2, 2020
Sandeep Burma, Ph.D., recently published a paper in Nature Communications in collaboration with Patrick Sung, DPhil, from the Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology. Their paper explores the specificity of action by resection enzymes to correct DNA double-strand breaks. The knowledge gained from this study could one day help improve the efficacy of cancer treatments. […]