Neurocritical Care Research

The Johns Hopkins Division of Neurosciences Critical Care has been a leader in neurocritical care research for decades. Our team fosters truly interdisciplinary innovation by collaborating with researchers across Johns Hopkins University, including the Schools of Medicine, Public Health, Engineering, Business, Arts & Sciences, the Peabody Institute, the Berman Institute of Bioethics, and many more.

Explore Our Research

  • Investigators and Labs

    Our research spans over a dozen labs and research areas, each focused on different aspects of neurocritical care.

    Illustration of a microscope.
  • Publications

    Browse over 1400 publications by neurocritical care faculty over the last 40+ years on PubMed.

    Cerebellar Excitability Regulates Physical Fatigue Perception Featured Slide 2

Our Commitment 

Our commitment is to improve the care and outcomes of patients with neurological emergencies through cutting-edge research. We maintain a large and diverse research portfolio, spanning clinical, behavioral, basic, translational, and health services research, as well as educational scholarship. 

We are deeply committed to mentoring trainees, including undergraduate students, medical students, residents and fellows, to nurture curiosity, scientific rigor, and a shared passion for neurocritical care. 

Investigators and Labs

Precision Medicine Center of Excellence (PMCOE)

Principal Investigator: Jose Suarez, M.D.

The PMCOE in neurocritical care provides a platform for cutting-edge AI/ML research in neurocritical care. Led by Jose Suarez, the center houses a team of data scientists and researchers who leverage a large Big Data analytics platform with high-frequency physiological waveform signals recorded from over 2,000 patients in the neurocritical care unit. This resource provides an excellent foundation for fellows to engage in AI/ML research and explore novel approaches to patient management using large-scale data.

Division of Brain Injury and Outcomes (BiOS)

Principal InvestigatorDaniel Hanley, M.D.

Housed at the intersection of neurology and neurocritical care, BiOS provides a platform for fellows to engage in clinical trials such as BEACH and ReASSESS, and work with large datasets of clinical trial patients with longitudinal outcomes This includes CLEAR-III and MISTIE-III trials. Led by Professor Daniel Hanley, founding director of the NCCU at Hopkins, BiOS offers fellows an opportunity to collaborate on significant clinical research initiatives.

Humanizing Medicine in Neurocritical Care

Principal InvestigatorSusanne Muehlschlegel, M.D., M.P.H.

Led by Dr. Muehlschlegel, this research focuses on improving communication in critical care settings and advancing the science of neuroprognostication. 

The HERALD Group

Principal InvestigatorSung-Min Cho, D.O., M.H.S.

Clinical and translational research investigating approaches to mitigate acute brain injury in patients using the ECMO device and devising novel ECMO devices, a unique area of expertise at Johns Hopkins. 

Cerebral Autoregulation and Multimodality Neuromonitoring

Principal InvestigatorsVishank Shah, M.B.B.S.Austen Lefebvre, M.D.Kate Rosenblatt, M.D., M.H.S.

This research team explores innovative applications of invasive and non-invasive multimodality monitoring in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, sepsis and other complex neurological conditions. 

Non-Invasive Optical Approaches for Neurological Monitoring

Principal InvestigatorAusten Lefebvre, M.D.

Translational research in collaboration with the Applied Physics lab aimed at developing novel optical methods for real-time neurological monitoring, offering non-invasive alternatives for critically ill patients. 

Biomarkers Research

Investigating plasma biomarkers in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), ECMO, and acute brain injury, with potential for early detection and better patient outcomes. 

Clinical Trials

Ongoing clinical trials in the division include BOOST-3, BEACH and other pivotal studies in neurocritical care. 

Advanced MRI Research and Imaging Biomarkers

Exploring novel MRI techniques for early detection and prognostication of neurological injury, white matter disease.

Simulation and Education Research

Investigating the role of simulation-based education and virtual reality for procedural training, helping to shape the next generation of ICU leaders.