The lab of Ryan Patick Lee, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery, focuses on clinical and translational research into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) disorders across a broad spectrum of conditions, including—but not limited to—hydrocephalus, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, intracranial hypotension, Chiari malformation, and other cranial and spinal CSF flow disorders.
One of the lab’s primary interests is biomarker discovery to develop minimally invasive screening and monitoring tests for CSF disorders, including tools to better understand disease pathology, track progression, and assess response to therapeutic interventions. The lab studies diverse patient populations, including those treated with CSF diversion and other emerging technologies, to validate these tools and improve long-term care
The work conducted in this lab has the potential to transform the future management of CSF disorders by reducing patient burden, lowering healthcare costs, decreasing hospital utilization, and minimizing reliance on invasive procedures—while ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.
Another key focus of the lab is the integration of artificial intelligence into imaging technologies to better evaluate cranial and spinal CSF disorders. Ongoing and future efforts include the use of AI-assisted analysis of transcranial ultrasound, CT, and MRI data to enhance diagnostic accuracy and reduce the time burden on healthcare providers.
The lab also investigates socioeconomic and geographic variation in the presentation, treatment, and outcomes of CSF disorders, with expanding research efforts in other neurosurgical areas, such as spine trauma, to promote more equitable and strengthen evidence-based practice.
Founded in June 2024, the lab continues to advance innovative, patient-centered solutions to improve the understanding and management of cerebrospinal fluid disorders worldwide.