Research is integral to the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Cincinnati and the Mayfield Clinic. We participate in two kinds of research: basic science and clinical trials.

Basic science research is conducted in the laboratory and not on patients. This kind of research takes years of work to develop a theory and then prove and duplicate the results in the lab. Basic science researchers are highly trained doctors (PhD) with backgrounds in molecular and cellular biology, pharmacology, and genetics. Our research laboratories are located at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Vontz Center, Barrett Cancer Center, and Veterans Administration Medical Center. By physicians and researchers working together we help bring the breakthroughs in basic science into clinical practice to improve patient care.

Clinical trials are research studies that involve patients. Typically, this kind of research involves working with a pharmaceutical company or government organization to determine the safety and/or efficacy of medication or treatment for a specific kind of injury or illness. There are four phases to a clinical trial; Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, and Phase IV. Patients must enroll into the study, meet the eligibility criteria, and sign an informed consent form stating they understand that this treatment is investigational and is not yet approved by the FDA. Please read "Understanding Clinical Trials" to learn more about the clinical trial process, the different phases, informed consent, and your rights as a study participant. <current clinical trials>