Vedantam Laboratory
About the Vedantam Laboratory
Research Overview
Finite Element Modeling of the Cervical Spinal Cord in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

Image: Finite element models of cervical spine
Representative Publications
Spinal cord stress after anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion: results from a patient-specific finite element model
Implementing a Novel Virtual Reality Training Program for Hand Dexterity in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy
Advanced Multi-parametric Imaging of the Spinal Cord in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

MCW 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
- Diffusion tensor imaging in a large longitudinal series of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy correlated with long-term functional outcome
- Diffusion tensor imaging correlates with short-term myelopathy outcome in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy
- Diffusion tensor imaging of the spinal cord: insights from animal and human studies
- Characterization and limitations of diffusion tensor imaging metrics in the cervical spinal cord in neurologically intact subjects
Funding
Funding for the Vedantam Lab is provided by:
Principal Investigator
Dr. 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 Medical College of Wisconsin, 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.
Investigative Collaborators
The Vedantam Laboratory works closely with collaborators from the Medical College of Wisconsin, Marquette University and the University of North Carolina specializing in neurosurgery, neurology, neurophysiology, imaging, biostatistics, biomechanics and biomedical engineering.

Anjishnu Banerjee, PhD
Associate Professor, Division of Biostatistics

Matthew D. Budde, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery

Derek Kamper, PhD
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering

Kajana Satkunendrarajah, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery; Physiology

Priyanka Shah-Basak, PhD
Assistant Professor

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.
Aditya Vedantam, MD
Assistant Professor; Adjunct Faculty in Biomedical Engineering, Radiology, and Orthopedics

Robyn Furger, MA, CCRC
Clinical Research Coordinator, Brain Injury Research Program

Balaji Harinathan
Graduate Student

Jasmin Bowers
Clinical Research Coordinator I

Cam'Ron Bogan
Clinical Research Assistant II
Undergraduate Researchers
Recent Publications
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Effect of Cervical Stenosis and Rate of Impact on Risk of Spinal Cord Injury During Whiplash Injury.
(Harinathan B, Jebaseelan D, Yoganandan N, Vedantam A.) Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2023 Sep 01;48(17):1208-1215 PMID: 37341525 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85168222861 06/21/2023
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(Vedantam A, Ugiliweneza B, Williamson T, Guest JD, Harrop JS, Tator CH, Aarabi BA, Fehlings MG, Kurpad SN, Neal CJ.) J Neurotrauma. 2023 Sep;40(17-18):1948-1958 PMID: 36448585 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85169848149 12/01/2022
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(Vedantam A, Harinathan B, Warraich A, Budde MD, Yoganandan N.) J Neurosurg Spine. 2023 Jul 01;39(1):28-39 PMID: 37029671 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85164233516 04/09/2023
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(Vedantam A, Harinathan B, Purushothaman Y, Scripp S, Banerjee A, Warraich A, Budde MD, Yoganandan N.) Biomech Model Mechanobiol. 2023 Jun 12 PMID: 37306885 06/12/2023
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(Vedantam A, Purushothaman Y, Harinathan B, Scripp S, Budde MD, Yoganandan N.) Ann Biomed Eng. 2023 May;51(5):1040-1051 PMID: 36538274 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85144374871 12/21/2022
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(Koch KM, Nencka AS, Klein A, Wang M, Kurpad S, Vedantam A, Budde M.) Front Neurol. 2023;14:1172833 PMID: 37273696 PMCID: PMC10236479 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85161052826 06/05/2023
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(Vedantam A, Jimsheleishvili G, Harrop JS, Alberga LR, Ahmad FU, Murphy RK, Jackson JB 3rd, Rodgers RB, Levi AD.) Spinal Cord. 2022 Jun;60(6):510-515 PMID: 35013548 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85122665748 01/12/2022
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Phase 1 Safety Trial of Autologous Human Schwann Cell Transplantation in Chronic Spinal Cord Injury.
(Gant KL, Guest JD, Palermo AE, Vedantam A, Jimsheleishvili G, Bunge MB, Brooks AE, Anderson KD, Thomas CK, Santamaria AJ, Perez MA, Curiel R, Nash MS, Saraf-Lavi E, Pearse DD, Widerström-Noga E, Khan A, Dietrich WD, Levi AD.) J Neurotrauma. 2022 Feb;39(3-4):285-299 PMID: 33757304 PMCID: PMC9360180 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85123877486 03/25/2021
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(Verla T, Vedantam A, North RY, Xu DS, Raber MR, Fuentes A, Liou NE, Ropper AE.) World Neurosurg. 2021 Dec;156:e1-e8 PMID: 34245881 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85116608863 07/11/2021
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(Cajigas I, Vedantam A.) Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2021 Jul;32(3):407-417 PMID: 34053728 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85106648822 06/01/2021
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Hypothermia for Acute Spinal Cord Injury.
(Vedantam A, Levi AD.) Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2021 Jul;32(3):377-387 PMID: 34053725 SCOPUS ID: 2-s2.0-85107248114 06/01/2021
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Limited midline myelotomy for visceral pain.
(Larkin MB, North RY, Vedantam A, Viswanathan A.) Neurosurg Focus Video. 2020 Oct;3(2):V16 PMID: 36285262 PMCID: PMC9542228 10/01/2020
Get Involved with the Vedantam Lab
Graduate Education
Researchers seeking graduate-level educational opportunities at the intersection of Neurosurgery and Neural Bioengineering are invited to explore opportunities in the Marquette-MCW Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, as well as the Neuroscience Doctoral Program at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
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.