One of the goals of the research program in the LSU Health Shreveport Department of Neurosurgery involves training in neurosciences research. In addition to receiving training in basic research, we continually contribute to ongoing research within the department as well as pending publications.

Neurosurgery residents are encouraged to participate in the graduate training for MS or PhD degrees. Graduate students in basic science departments are encouraged to study with faculties in the Department of Neurosurgery to investigate neurosurgical problems.

Advanced Neuroimaging Lab

With unprecedented progress in the study of the brain in recent years, our Advanced Neuroimaging Lab provides state-of-the-art brain imaging that allows a first-time glimpse into the structure, functioning, and connectivity of the human and animal brain in both healthy and disease states. 

The primary research interests of the Advanced Neuroimaging Lab follow two directions:

  1. We employ advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques which include diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and resting state functional MRI (rsfMRI) to study the impact of neurological diseases on brain networks; and 
  2. We apply electrophysiological techniques such as optogenetics that enable us to study the epileptogenesis and mechanisms related to seizure disorders.

Through imaging studies, our researchers have developed computational techniques to investigate structural and functional connectivity abnormalities in patients with neurological disorders including traumatic brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, tumors, and epilepsy. These techniques allow the comparison of connectomes between patients and healthy controls. Our goal is to elucidate regional and global changes in structural and functional brain connectivity associated with various central nervous system (CNS) disorders.

With electrophysiological studies of epilepsy, we have employed techniques such as optogenetics and intracranial recording in murine models to study seizure generation and propagation with a goal is to further understand the pathophysiology of seizure disorders, which may, in turn, improve the treatment of epilepsy.

Recent Publications

Kandregula S, Savardekar AR, Sharma P, McLarty J, Kosty J, Trosclair K, Cuellar H, Guthikonda B. Direct thrombectomy versus bridging thrombolysis with mechanical thrombectomy in middle cerebral artery stroke: a real-world analysis through National Inpatient Sample data. Neurosurg Focus. 2021 Jul;51(1):E4. doi: 10.3171/2021.4.FOCUS21132. PMID: 34198246.

Diaz RR, Savardekar AR, Brougham JR, Terrell D, Sin A. Investigating the efficacy of allograft cellular bone matrix for spinal fusion: a systematic review of the literature. Neurosurg Focus. 2021 Jun;50(6):E11. doi: 10.3171/2021.3.FOCUS2179. PMID: 34062505.

Kandregula S, Guthikonda B. Robotic Stereotactic EEG. Neurol India. 2021 May- Jun;69(3):543-544. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.319258. PMID: 34169839.

Kandregula S, Guthikonda B. Vertebral Artery Course Variations and Implications in Craniovertebral Junction Surgeries. Neurol India. 2021 Mar-Apr;69(2):241-242. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.314593. PMID: 33904430.

Adeeb N, Hattab T, Savardekar A, Jumah F, Griessenauer CJ, Musmar B, Adeeb A,Trosclair K, Guthikonda B. Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Elective Neurosurgery: A Survey of Board-Certified Neurosurgeons in the United States and Updated Literature Review. World Neurosurg. 2021 Jun;150:e631-e638. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.03.072. Epub 2021 Mar 20. PMID: 33757886.

Jumah F, AbuRmilah A, Raju B, Jaber S, Adeeb N, Narayan V, Sun H, Cuellar H, Gupta G, Nanda A. Does preoperative embolization improve outcomes of meningioma resection? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosurg Rev. 2021 Mar 16. doi: 10.1007/s10143-021-01519-z. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33723970.

Kandregula S, Guthikonda B. The Cover Page - Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV). Neurol India. 2021 Jan-Feb;69(1):1. doi: 10.4103/0028-3886.310117. PMID: 33642261.

Mijalis EM, Manzi B, Cuellar H, Nathan CAO. Intramuscular myxoma of the longus colli mistaken for a cervical rootlet schwannoma. BMJ Case Rep. 2021 Feb 4;14(2):e239106. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-239106. PMID: 33541994; PMCID: PMC7868242.

Lefever D, Kelly PD, Zuckerman SL, Agarwal N, Guthikonda B, Kimmell KT, Schirmer C, Rosenow JM, Cozzens J, Orrico KO, Menger R. Advocacy to Government and Stakeholders. World Neurosurg. 2021 Feb 3:S1878-8750(21)00160-1. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.01.129. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33548536.

Agarwal N, Youngerman B, Kaakaji W, Smith G, McGregor JM, Powers CJ, Guthikonda B, Menger R, Schirmer CM, Rosenow JM, Cozzens J, Kimmell KT; Council of State Neurosurgical Societies (CSNS). Optimizing Medical Care Via Practice Guidelines and Quality Improvement Initiatives. World Neurosurg. 2021 Feb 9:S1878-8750(21)00194-7. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2021.02.013. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33578021.

Menger RP, Viswanathan VK, Notarianni C. C2 Fractures. 2021 Jan 21. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan–.PMID: 29493914.

Menger RP, Rayi A, Notarianni C. Klippel Feil Syndrome. 2021 Feb 11. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan–.PMID: 29630209.

Ampil F, Cuellar H, Nathan CA, Smith D, Sin A. Recurrent head and neck cancers in the skull base, stereotactic radiosurgery palliation, and risk prognosticators. Oral Oncol. 2021 Jan;112:105005. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.105005. Epub 2020 Nov 4. PMID: 33158750.

Research

Neurosurgery Department