Research

The Division of Neurosurgery surgeon-scientists include: 

• Dr. Eve Tsai has established a laboratory dedicated to research into spinal cord injury and regeneration and has successfully secured peer-reviewed funding from a number of sources and established collaborations with a number of other investigators.
• Dr. Nzau (CHEO) has begun lab work with a cerebral injury model in collaboration with other investigators at the University of Ottawa. A number of our residents have successfully completed the Royal College’s Clinician-Investigator Program.

Basic neuroscience research is done under the guidance of Dr. Munyao Nzau at the Ottawa Health Research Institute and Neuroscience Institute, in collaboration with Dr. A. Hakim and C. Thomson.

Dr. Nzau’s laboratory uses in vitro and animal models to study:

• Mechanisms of Cerebrovascular/ Neurovascular unit injury secondary to traumatic brain injury, intracerebral bleed, hypoxia-ischemic injury of prematurity, and sub arachnoid hemorrhage.
• Pathophysiology of cerebral microvascular disease and associated white matter injury.
• Functional and structural remodeling in eloquent brain (motor and sensory cortex) after trauma, ischemia and surgery induced injury.
• Mechanisms of endogenous neurovascular unit protection, recovery and regeneration.

Head Injury research is a special interest of Dr. Michael Vassilyadi and ongoing work includes:

Implementation of a Concussion Research Project (CRP) Clinic at CHEO

The overall purpose of this study is to optimize the assessment, management and follow-up for children who remain symptomatic three months following a sport related head injury through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to care.

Helmet Research

In collaboration with the Neurotrauma Impact Science Laboratory at the University of Ottawa, various helmets are tested to replicate the forces transmitted to the head. The first study looked at helmets worn by children 7 years and under while tobogganing. The second study analyzed children speed skating helmets and compared them with other available helmets.