Advancing science through transformative clinical research
Clinical research enables our medical professionals to understand mechanisms that lead to new solutions. Once those solutions are developed, clinical trials ensure they are safe and ready for use among those who need them.
Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery Center
Pioneering minimally invasive surgery
The Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery Center is a multidisciplinary team of experienced physicians. It is formed by neurosurgeons, ENT head and neck surgeons, radiation oncologists, radiologists, ophthalmologists, oculoplastics, radiology and endocrinology, all focused on treatment and research as well as education related to skull-based pathologies. The center treats a broad range of conditions, including pituitary tumors, craniopharyngiomas, meningiomas, chordomas, sinonasal cancers and other conditions. The center’s two skull base labs advance the field by developing new and minimally invasive ways to get to the skull base, allowing for effective results with less morbidity for patients.
Cerebrovascular Neurosurgery Program
Innovative hybrid open and endovascular procedures
The robust clinical volume of structural cerebrovascular disease is the foundation of the Cerebrovascular clinical research program. With support from our clinical research coordinators, we are studying the impact of surgical treatments for patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, and unruptured brain aneurysms. These studies include FEAT, NANO, and RAGE to assess the effectiveness of different coils to secure brain aneurysms; ENRICH to assess the effectiveness of minimally-invasive hematoma evacuation; and REACT to assess the impact of clazosentan on neurologic outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Comprehensive Stroke Center
Advanced treatments for stroke patients
An exceptionally large Telestroke Network is the foundation of our Comprehensive Stroke Center clinical research program. Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is the hub of a network with 27 “spoke” hospitals in central Ohio. Our vascular neurologists assess patients at the spoke hospitals using virtual health technologies, and transfer to our facilities complex stroke patients who can benefit from our care. Currently there are seven active stroke clinical trials with seven more coming this academic year. Additionally, we are part of the NIH StrokeNet, the Neurological Emergencies Treatment Trials group, and SIREN.
Ohio State Spine Care
Comprehensive treatment and research of spine conditions
Ohio State Spine Care houses a multidisciplinary team of specialists including board-certified and fellowship-trained pain management experts, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons and neurologists. Patients benefit from the insights and expertise of an entire clinical team, located in one center, that will diagnose the source of pain and help achieve the highest level of function possible with the least invasive treatment possible. Our team of experts is constantly exploring novel approaches for some of the most difficult spine-related medical challenges. Patients also have the opportunity to participate in groundbreaking research and clinical trials through our associations with national and international spine organizations.
Spinal Oncology
New treatments for spinal tumors
The James Spine Cancer Center experts under the direction of Dr. Ehud Mendel are nationally and internationally renowned for treating and researching patients with spinal column tumors. Our spine cancer treatment team includes neurosurgical oncological spine surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, hematologists, geneticists and researchers. The recently established Cancer Engineering Program in collaboration with The Ohio State University Spine Research Institute is working to develop individualized treatment plans for patients. These personalized treatment plans target the biomechanical, molecular and genetic makeup of each patient’s individual spine cancer.
Neuro-Oncology
Comprehensive care for patients with any brain or spine tumor
Neurosurgical oncologists at The Ohio State University are on the cutting edge of treatment and research for patients with benign and malignant brain and spine tumors. Through collaboration with medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, the neurosurgical oncology team at Ohio State provides comprehensive care for patients with any brain or spine tumor. This streamlined multidisciplinary approach provides efficient, personalized care for our patients and allows flexibility for innovation. Treatments include novel surgical techniques and clinical trials. Basic science research collaborations also allow patients to become involved in leading research in their specific field.
Neuromodulation
At the cutting edge of clinical care and research
The Center for Neuromodulation is one of the leading centers in the country for deep brain stimulation implantations. Surgical procedures treat movement disorders, refractory epilepsy, intractable pain, spasticity and psychiatric disorders. The center incorporates clinical and research excellence in patient care and training. This program including clinical trials is an integrated care model with neurosurgery, neurology, pain management, psychiatry and physical medicine and rehabilitation. Its active research program has more than 30 IRB.
Brain Health and Performance Center
Transforming the treatment of neurologic diseases
The central mission of the center is to advance neurosurgical technologies that will enable the delivery of new therapeutic agents directly into specific brain regions in a controlled manner. Over the past decade, our work resulted in the development of a highly precise neurological implantation and infusion system for therapeutic agents such as recombinant proteins and viruses, liposomal drugs and stem cells. The center extends its expertise from the proof-of-concept of new brain and CNS therapies to pre-clinical development to support IND-enabling data to initiate small first-in-human investigational clinical trials. And it acts as a hub for technology partners to develop specific components to improve our delivery and therapeutic platforms.
Pediatric
Internationally recognized for treatment of the youngest patients
The Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery continues to experience significant growth. The team has provided care to patients from 28 states and six countries. The pediatric epilepsy surgery program is steadily expanding. The scholarly output of the program has increased markedly with over 30 publications (journals, chapters and manuscripts) and 20 presentations in national and international meetings. Many patients have enrolled in either clinical trials or registry projects, and as a member of the Hydrocephalus Clinical Research Network, we continue to participate in multi-institutional studies focusing on the treatment of hydrocephalus.