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Vedantam Laboratory

Vedantam Laboratory

About the Vedantam Laboratory

Led by Principal Investigator Dr. Aditya Vedantam, researchers at the Vedantam Laboratory seek to improve the lives of people suffering from spinal cord dysfunction鈥攑erforming clinical and translational research to improve our understanding of spinal cord disease states and enhance recovery of neurological function.
Vedantam Lab members discussing FEM modeling of discs in Hub for Collaborstive Medicine
Examples of computational modeling of the cervical spine

Research Overview

In its efforts to improve our understanding of spinal cord pathology and enhanced recovery of function, the Vedantam Lab performs clinical and translational research for spinal cord disease states such as degenerative cervical myelopathy and spinal cord injury. The Lab is investigating the pathophysiology of degenerative cervical myelopathy through imaging, finite element modeling and quantitative functional assessments. The Lab is also working on implementing novel training paradigms to restore hand function after cervical spine surgery for cervical myelopathy.

Finite Element Modeling of the Cervical Spinal Cord in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

Finite Element Models of Cervical Spine (x3) and disk (x1)The Vedantam Lab is actively involved in developing finite element models of the cervical spinal cord for evaluation of DCM. Our group is one of the first to develop a patient-specific finite element model of the cervical spine and spinal cord for DCM using a pre-surgical MRI. Our approach incorporates patient-specific geometries and morphology, which influence spinal cord stress and strain during neck motion. By simulating surgical interventions on these models, we can now predict changes in spinal cord biomechanics after a particular surgical intervention for DCM. Our actively funded work is aimed at determining if spinal cord biomechanics are linked to microstructural spinal cord injury and neurological function.

Image:  Finite element models of cervical spine

Representative Publications

Implementing a Novel Virtual Reality Training Program for Hand Dexterity in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

Subjects with DCM often have fine motor dysfunction in their hands, which significantly impairs their ability to perform activities of daily living. The Vedantam Lab is investigating the utility of a virtual reality training paradigm to rehabilitate hand function after surgery for DCM. A single-arm trial for virtual reality hand training in DCM is being carried out in collaboration with Dr. Brian Schmit at Marquette University and Dr. Derek Kamper at University of North Carolina/NC State University. This actively funded study uses a virtual musical keyboard and an instrumented glove to train hand dexterity in subjects with DCM who have had surgery within a year. We are also investigating neuroplasticity (changes in brain activation) by using event-related EEG before and after training.

Advanced Multi-parametric Imaging of the Spinal Cord in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Imaging

果冻影院 has pioneered work in advanced spinal cord MR imaging. The Vedantam Lab, in collaboration with other investigators, is using multi-parametric MR imaging of the cervical spinal cord to improve the assessment of pre- and post-surgical spinal cord integrity in DCM. By combining advanced MRI with quantitative functional assessments, we are defining a set of MRI imaging biomarkers for DCM. We are working on the creation of a clinically useful set of MR sequences that can enhance diagnosis and prognosis for DCM.

Image:  Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of cervical spinal cord

Representative Publications

Funding

Funding for the Vedantam Lab is provided by:聽

  • Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Logo
  • AO Spine Logo
  • Froedtert and 果冻影院_Logo
  • NIH NINDS Logo
  • North American Spine Society Logo

Principal Investigator

Aditya Vedantam, MDDr. Aditya Vedantam, assistant professor of neurosurgery and Principal Investigator of the Vedantam Laboratory, attended medical school at the Christian Medical College and Hospital in Vellore, India, and then spent two years as a postdoctoral research fellow at the 果冻影院, where he studied advanced MRI techniques to evaluate spinal cord disease. He completed his neurosurgery residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, followed by a fellowship in Minimally Invasive and Complex Spine Surgery at the University of Miami in Florida. Dr. Vedantam then returned to Milwaukee to continue to pursue his research interests, which include the use of novel MRI techniques and tools to improve care for patients with spinal disorders. He has performed extensive research in the field of spine MRI and has won national and institutional awards for his work. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts. His goal is to use his research efforts in the laboratory to enhance the lives of patients in the clinic.

Learn more about Dr. Vedantam

Investigative Collaborators

The Vedantam Laboratory works closely with collaborators from the 果冻影院, Marquette University and the University of North Carolina specializing in neurosurgery, neurology, neurophysiology, imaging, biostatistics, biomechanics and biomedical engineering.聽

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Anjishnu Banerjee, PhD

Associate Professor, Biostatistics

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Matthew D. Budde, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery

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Derek Kamper, PhD

Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering

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Kajana Satkunendrarajah, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery; Physiology

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Priyanka Shah-Basak, PhD

Assistant Professor

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Narayan Yoganandan, PhD

Professor & Chair of Biomechanics, Department of Neurosurgery; Orthopaedic Surgery; Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering

Current Lab Members

Current members of the Vedantam Laboratory include Principal Investigator Dr. Aditya Vedantam, as well as graduate students and professional research staff specializing in neurosurgery, neurotrauma, biomedical engineering and degenerative cervical myelopathy.

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Aditya Vedantam, MD

Associate Professor; Director, Minimally Invasive Surgery; Director, Center for Cervical Myelopathy; Adjunct Faculty in Biomedical Engineering, Radiology, and Orthopedics

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Jasmin Bowers

Clinical Research Coordinator I

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Robyn Furger, MA, CCRC

Clinical Research Coordinator, Brain Injury Research Program

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Balaji Harinathan

Graduate Student

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Viprav Raju, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher

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Caroline Treis

Clinical Research Coordinator I

Undergraduate Researchers

Ali Warraich
Stephen Scripp, BS

Recent Publications

  • (Gundamraj S, Devaraj KB, Harinathan B, Banerjee A, Yoganandan N, Vedantam A.) Biomech Model Mechanobiol. 2024 Oct;23(5):1757-1764 PMID: 39003653 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85198355255 07/14/2024

  • (Rahman M, Vedantam A.) World Neurosurg. 2024 Sep;189:485-486 PMID: 38997932 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85199455507 07/13/2024

  • (Rahman M, Banerjee A, Yang Y, Annyapu E, DeGroot AL, Best B, Braza DW, Wang MC, Vedantam A.) J Neurosurg Spine. 2024 Aug 01;41(2):167-173 PMID: 38728769 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85200524767 05/10/2024

  • (Banerjee A, Yang Y, Wang MC, Vedantam A.) Clin Spine Surg. 2024 Jul 22 PMID: 39037072 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85199703689 07/22/2024

  • (Yoganandan N, Harinathan B, Vedantam A.) J Eng Sci Med Diagn Ther. 2024 May 01;7(2):021003 PMID: 37860790 PMCID: PMC10583276 10/20/2023

  • (Yoganandan N, Choi H, Purushothaman Y, Vedantam A, Harinathan B, Banerjee A.) J Eng Sci Med Diagn Ther. 2024 May 01;7(2):021006 PMID: 37860789 PMCID: PMC10583278 10/20/2023

  • (Rahman M, Palmer P, Harinathan B, Banurekha Devaraj K, Yoganandan N, Vedantam A.) Diagnostics. July 2024;14(14) SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85199590245 07/01/2024

  • (Stemper BD, Cutlan R, Vedantam A, Gerds B, Hainsworth K, Raff H, Yoganandan N, Dooley C, Le P, Muftuler LT.) Conference proceedings International Research Council on the Biomechanics of Injury, IRCOBI. 2024;Part 202371:353-354 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85204454527 01/01/2024

  • (Sweetman H, Rahman M, Vedantam A, Satkunendrarajah K.) Exp Neurol. 2024 Jan;371:114600 PMID: 37907124 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85175540178 11/01/2023

  • (Yoganandan N, Baisden J, Moore J, Pintar F, Vedantam A, Shabani S, Barnes D, Loftis K.) Mil Med. 2023 Nov 08;188(Suppl 6):393-399 PMID: 37948210 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85176449424 11/10/2023

  • (Yoganandan N, Baisden J, Varghese V, Vedantam A, Stemper B, Banerjee A, Jebaseelan D.) Mil Med. 2023 Nov 08;188(Suppl 6):385-392 PMID: 37948211 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85176389139 11/10/2023

  • (Rahman M, Truong H, Vedantam A.) Neurosurg Focus Video. 2023 Oct;9(2):V18 PMID: 37854647 PMCID: PMC10580736 10/19/2023

Publications of from the

Get Involved with the Vedantam Lab

The Vedantam Laboratory is dedicated to engaging current researchers and creating opportunities for the next generation of neuroscientists and biomedical engineers. 

Graduate Education

Researchers seeking graduate-level educational opportunities at the intersection of Neurosurgery and Neural Bioengineering are invited to explore opportunities in the Marquette-果冻影院 Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, as well as the Neuroscience Doctoral Program at the 果冻影院.  

Neuroscience Doctoral Program

Student Research

Undergraduate and high school students interested in gaining research experience in neuroscience and biomedical engineering labs are invited to explore undergraduate research opportunities supported by the Zablocki VA Medical Center Laboratories. 

Student Research Opportunities at ZVAMC Labs

 

Employment

The Vedantam Laboratory is always on the lookout for individuals with an interest in spinal cord dysfunction, degenerative cervical myelopathy and the restoration of neurological function. 

For general questions regarding open opportunities, contact Dr. Aditya Vedantam.

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