Department of
Neurosurgery (April 2026)

DEV - Research

NEEDS CONTENT (Published Research)

Areas of Research Focus

  • Bedside evacuation of intraparenchymal hematoma
  • stereoEEG and cortical EEG for monitoring of injured patients 
  • Active CSF exchange and development of CSF infusion pharmacology 
  • Blood-based biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of brain injury and stroke 

Published Research

NEEDS CONTENT

Research Highlights

The WVU Neurocritical care unit prides itself on innovation and clinical leadership. Several world-leading programs and research projects are ongoing and offer numerous opportunities for trainees to develop leadership and research skills, while also building a competitive research portfolio for future funding and faculty opportunities. Below are some limited highlights of the current work being done in the NCCU.

  • Blood-based biomarkers- The WVU NCCU has quickly emerged as a leader in the use of blood-based biomarkers in the treatment of neurologic injuries (trauma and non-trauma). We are also early adopters of the CBIM presentation model as a superior method for the presentation and discussion of neurological disease. Our volume is large, approximately 1-200 patients have biomarkers assessed per month. Currently we are working on sharing our validation cohort as well as empirically derived treatment pathways for brain trauma and other diseases.
  • Bedside stereoelectroencephalography- Multi-modality monitoring of all brain injured patients is standard in our NCCU. Every patient room is equipped with a dedicated Moberg monitor. As part of this program, we have developed a bedside stereotactic method to insert traditional depth electrodes without the need for an OR or craniotomy. This has the potential to evaluate not just cortical spreading depolarizations and seizures, but also allows us to monitor the real-time relationship of physiological and neurological parameters and brain electrical activity. Currently, WVU’s cohort of invasive electrocorticography is one of the largest in the world and expanding rapidly.
  • Active CSF Exchange- Active CSF exchange is the technique that replaces contaminated CSF (with blood, infection, or cancer) with sterile solutions designed to improve neurologic function and speed clearance. In addition, it allows continuous delivery of low-dose, steady-state medications directly into the ventricular system, bypassing the blood-brain-barrier. The WVU NCCU is the world leader in research and innovation of this technique. Our NCCU pharmacy is the most experienced and researched in this area, allowing rapid development of novel pharmaceutical approaches to disease. WVU has also refined clinical techniques related to the treatment and has been active in publishing and presenting them at world and national meetings.
  • Bedside Hematoma Evacuation- WVU has a history of being a leader and innovator in stereotactic and minimally invasive intraparenchymal hematoma evacuation, dating back to our first chairmen, Drs. Nugent and Kaufman. Utilizing our experience with bedside stereotaxis and active CSF exchange, we have developed a technique for minimally invasive IPH evacuation performed at the bedside. This research is active and ongoing, showing promising early results.
  • Saliva-based brain biomarkers- The WVU NCCU is the primary research site evaluating the detection of brain biomarkers in spinal fluid of brain injured patients. This research is exploratory but shows promising early results. We hope to expand the use and research of this technology to more patients as well as work to increase its efficiency.