The goal of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh is to improve the care and treatment of patients with neurosurgical disease. This goal is being achieved partly though the conduct of state-of-the-art basic and translational research. The department, with more than 40 faculty members and investigators, seeks to be at the forefront of this endeavor; and numerous advances have already been achieved—research translated into practice.

Annually, the department has been highly ranked in National Institutes of Health funding, a direct result of the success and quality of its research and development. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, our faculty was involved as primary investigators in more than 50 projects having a total budget value of over $45 million.

Ongoing research includes the disciplines of molecular biology, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, neuro-anatomy, and other basic neuroscience arenas. Specific questions addressed include research into the acute and chronic care following neurotrauma, neural recovery and plasticity, the neurobiologic and therapeutic response in neuro-oncology, the underlying mechanisms and treatment of movement traumas, cell death and radiation injury, and cerebrovascular physiology and modeling. The department provides an outstanding research environment for fellows, residents, and students seeking training in neurosurgical research.