Jason Sheehan

Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery, Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering

B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, 1992
M.S., Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 1992
Ph.D., Biological Physics, University of Virginia, 1997
M.D., University of Virginia, 1998

Dept. of Neurosurgery
PO Box 800212
Charlottesville VA 22908
434-924-8129

jps2f@Virginia.edu

Research Interests

Epilepsy and Neuronal Regeneration Research Strategies

My laboratory is focused on two major research areas. The first involves the study of the underlying mechanisms by which stereotactic radiosurgery ameliorates seizures. A multicenter NIH study using Gamma Knife surgery has demonstrated the efficacy of subnecrotic doses of radiation to the amygdala and hippocampal structures of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Moreover, research completed at the University of Virginia using a chronic temporal lobe epilepsy animal model has shown a similarly positive result. This animal model has demonstrated changes in hippocampal neuronal circuitry that is likely the cause of the improvement in epilepsy. The Gamma Knife induced neuromodulation is the subject of intense research by our lab in conjunction with Dr. Kevin Lee.

The other area of active research is the study of axonal guidance cues in a human neuronal model. Human neurons from epilepsy patients and a brain tumor cell line are being investigated. The guidance cues (e.g. Nogo) and intracellular calcium signaling that facilitate or inhibit axonal propagation are targets of interest in this in vitro research.
UVA Today article on collaborative research with the Price lab.

Recent Publications

Zhong X, Meyer CH, Schlesinger DJ, Sheehan JP, Epstein FH, Larner JM, Benedict SH, Read PW, Sheng K, Cai J
Tracking brain motion during the cardiac cycle using spiral cine-DENSE MRI.

Da Silva AN, Nagayama K, Schlesinger DJ, Sheehan JP
Gamma Knife surgery for brain metastases from gastrointestinal cancer.

Basina BR, Olson C, Roy DK, Yen CP, Schlesinger D, Nagayama K, Sheehan JP
Radiation dose and incidence of new metastasis in the anterior temporal lobe structures of radiosurgically treated patients.

Jagannathan J, Vates GE, Pouratian N, Sheehan JP, Patrie J, Grady MS, Jane JA
Impact of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education work-hour regulations on neurosurgical resident education and productivity.

Olson C, Yen CP, Schlesinger D, Sheehan J
Radiosurgery for intracranial hemangiopericytomas: outcomes after initial and repeat Gamma Knife surgery.

More Publications