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Gamma Knife Center, Room G512

Jason Sheehan

Professor of Neurological Surgery Professor of Radiation Oncology Professor of Biomedical Engineering Professor of Neuroscience UVa Gamma Knife Center Co-Director Riverside-UVa Gamma Knife Co-Director
Contact
Location
Gamma Knife Center, Room G512
Neuro Oncology Center UVA Among First to Use New Tool for Noninvasive Brain Surgery

About

Jason Sheehan received his BS, MS, PhD and MD from the University of Virginia. His BS is in Chemical Engineering with the highest honors awarded from the School of Engineering. He performed fellowships at Auckland University and the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Sheehan has written more than 250 peer reviewed papers. Also, he has published several books and numerous invited manuscripts. He reviews manuscripts for the Journal of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, World Neurosurgery, Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery and Nature Clinical Practice Oncology. Dr. Sheehan has an active laboratory pursuing translational and basic science research in the area of brain tumors. He also helps to oversee clinical trials for brain tumor patients.

Dr. Sheehan won the University of Virginia Clinical Excellence Award in 2006, the AANS/CNS Translational Brain Tumor Research Award, the WFNS Young Neurosurgeon Award and the Synthes Skull Base Award. He is the editor of SANS and serves on various committees in the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), World Federation of Neurological Societies, International Radiosurgery Association, North American Gamma Knife Research Consortium and Southern Neurosurgical Society. He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the American College of Surgeons, Leksell Gamma Knife Society, Neurosurgical Society of the Virginias, AANS/CNS Tumor Section and the American Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgeons.

Education

​Ph.D. Biological Physics, University of Virginia, 1997

M.D. University of Virginia, 1998

​M.S. Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 1992

​B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, 1992

Research Interests

Biotechnology and Biomolecular Engineering Biomolecular Design, Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering

Selected Publications

Radiosurgery in Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastasis to the Brain: Long-Term Outcomes and Prognostic Factors Influencing Survival and Local Tumor Control. Journal of Neurosurgery 98:342-3. Sheehan J., Sun M.H., Kondziolka D., Flickinger J., Lunsford L.
Abstract
The Safety and Utility of Recombinant Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 for Cranial Procedures in a Nonhuman Primate Model. Journal of Neurosurgery 98:125-130, 2003. Sheehan J.P., Sheehan J.M., Seeherman H., Quigg M., Helm G.A.
Abstract
Ex Vivo Gene Therapy and Cell Therapy for Stroke, In Progress in Neurosurgery: Molecular Neurosurgery, Janson C, ed, Karger, 2002. Sheehan J., Niranjan A., Kondziolka D.
A Horseradish Peroxidase-Light and Electron Microscopic Study of Immunoliposomes Utilized for Intracellular Delivery to the Rat Striatum. Neuroscience Letters 333(3):212-216, 2002. Sheehan J.P., Sheehan J.M., Holmberg E.G., Geisert E.E., Helm G.A.
Abstract
Mitochondria in Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Experimental Neurology 153(1):135-142, 1998. Swerdlow R.H., Parks J.K., Cassarino D.S., Trimmer P.A., Miller S.W., Maguire D.J., Sheehan J.P., Maguire R.S., Pattee G., Juel V.C., Phillips L.H., Tuttle J.B., Bennett J.P., Davis R.E., Parker W.D. Jr
Abstract
Origin and Functional Consequences of the Complex I Defect in Parkinson’s Disease. Annals of Neurology 40(4):663-671, 1996. Swerdlow R., Parks J., Miller S., Tuttle J., Trimmer P., Sheehan J., Bennett J., Davis R., Parker W.D.
Abstract
Utilization of Type I Collagen Gel, Demineralized Bone Matrix and Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (rhBMP-2) to Enhance Autologous Bone Lumbar Spinal Fusion. Journal of Neurosurgery 86:93-100, 1997. Helm G.A., Sheehan J.M., Sheehan J.P., Jane J.A. Jr., Dipierro C.G., Simmons N.E., Gillies G.T., Kallmes D.F., Sweeney T.M.
Abstract
Altered Calcium Homeostasis in Cells Transformed by Mitochondria from Individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. Journal of Neurochemistry 68(3):1221-1233, 1997. Sheehan J., Swerdlow R., Parker W., Tuttle J.
Abstract
MPP+ Induced Apoptotic Cell Death in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells: An Electron Microscope Study. Journal of Neuroscience Research 48(3):226-237, 1997. Sheehan J., Palmer P., Helm G., Tuttle J.
Abstract

Awards

Best Doctors in America® List 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

Featured Grants & Projects

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.