Yasushi Kisanuki

Yasushi Kisanuki, MD

  • Neurology
  • Physician

Associate Clinical Professor of Neurology

Accepting new patients

Insurances We Accept

614-293-4969

About Me

I am a neurologist specializing in diagnosing and treating neurogenetic disorders of the central nervous system, including hereditary cerebellar ataxia, cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX), hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), leukoencephalopathy, primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) and other rare conditions. I also manage spasticity care with intrathecal Baclofen pumps in collaboration with neurosurgeons for patients with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury or other neurologic disorders. I have been honored as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor since 2018.

I joined The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center as an assistant professor, and I currently serve as a clinical associate professor in the Department of Neurology. I am a Fellow of both the American Academy of Neurology and the American Neurological Association.

My research focuses on improving the diagnosis, advancing the treatments and developing therapies for genetic cerebellar ataxias, PLS, HSP and other rare neurogenetic disorders. Neurogenetic disorders often have no established cure, and even diagnosing such disorders can be a challenge that is frustrating for patients.

I have contributed to characterizing rodent models of SPG6-HSP and participated in clinical research projects on PLS and other rare conditions. Through collaborative efforts, my teams and I published diagnostic guidelines for PLS and a recommended clinical scale to measure disease severity.

Recently, I played a pivotal role in a multicenter phase 3 trial that supported Food and Drug Administration approval of chenodeoxycholic acid for CTX in February. I am currently involved in clinical studies on spinocerebellar ataxia, Friedreich ataxia, PLS and related disorders.

I organize and direct specialized clinics, including a multidisciplinary cerebellar symptom management clinic, a neurogenetic disorders clinic and a spasticity clinic that focuses on intrathecal Baclofen pumps. The access to resources and exceptional multidisciplinary teams here enable me to treat and study the most complex and rare neurologic disorders.

In addition to clinical care and research, I train future physicians as director of the Adult Neurology Residency Program, supervising medical students and resident physicians in inpatient settings and clinics. I value these interactions – our learners often ask insightful, unbiased questions about pathophysiology.

When I’m not working, I enjoy long-distance cycling, international travel and playing with my cats.
Highlights
  • Named to Castle Connolly's Regional Top Doctors list
  • Rated in the top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction, 2017-2019
  • Best Doctor in America, 2017

Procedures and Conditions I Treat

  • Neurofibroma
  • Ataxia
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases

Locations Where I Practice

Neurology

in Outpatient Care Gahanna
920 N. Hamilton Road
Suite 500
Gahanna, OH 43230
614-293-4969

Neurology

in Martha Morehouse Outpatient Care
2050 Kenny Road
Pavilion 3rd Floor Suite 3100
Columbus, OH 43221
614-293-4969

Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.

Education and Training

Education History

Medical School

University of Tokyo, Tokyo 114-0033, Japan
4/1/1990 - 3/31/1994

Residency

Tokyo University Hospital, Tokyo
6/1/1994 - 11/30/1994

Fellowship

UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
12/1/1994 - 6/30/2001

Internship

St. Joseph Mercy Health System, Ann Arbor, MI
7/1/2001 - 6/30/2002

Residency

University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, MI
7/1/2002 - 6/30/2005

Fellowship

University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, MI
7/1/2005 - 8/31/2007

Board Certification

American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology-Neurology
5/14/2006

Academic Information

My Department

Neurology

My Division

General Neurology

Reviews

The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.

179 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

  • Overall
    4.9 out of 5
  • Explains Things Carefully
    4.9 out of 5
  • Listens Carefully
    4.9 out of 5
  • Gives Understandable Instructions
    4.9 out of 5
  • Knows My Medical History
    4.8 out of 5
  • Shows Respect
    4.9 out of 5
  • Time Spent Together
    4.9 out of 5
  • Reviewed on Oct 06, 2025

    He understood my concerns and my interest in genetic testing

  • Reviewed on Sep 22, 2025

    Very caring & professional

  • Reviewed on Sep 12, 2025

    My care provider is outstanding. I have total faith in the history handling of my case.

  • Reviewed on Sep 10, 2025

    Excellent

  • Reviewed on Sep 04, 2025

    Exceptional.

  • Reviewed on Aug 25, 2025

    He explained everything in detail and very caring and considerate and listened. We couldn't ask for a better doctor to help us.

  • Reviewed on Aug 06, 2025

    Dr. K is engaged, approachable, and thorough.

  • Reviewed on Aug 04, 2025

    All good very patient

Consulting and Related Relationships

At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.

As of 09/30/2024, Dr. Kisanuki has reported relationships with the companies or entities listed below. If you have questions about the relationships listed below, please ask the faculty member. If you have questions about how these relationships are monitored by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, please contact our Compliance Office.

  • Mirum Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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