Benjamin D. Schanker

All Publications

• Epigenetic regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor: Implications in neurodevelopment and behavior BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN SCIENCES Schanker, B. D. 2012; 35 (5): 377-378

  Abstract

  Several recent research findings have implicated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a mediator of neuronal plasticity. The BDNF gene is under extensive epigenetic regulation, which modulates how much or how little environmental experiences become encoded within neurons and neural circuits. Future scientific progress within the postgenomic paradigm requires elucidation of the functional trajectory in neogenetic and environment interactions.

  View details for DOI 10.1017/S0140525X12001100

  View details for Web of Science ID 000310314600057

  View details for PubMedID 23095399

• Editorial: engaging trainees in health care improvement throughout medical education. American journal of medical quality : the official journal of the American College of Medical Quality Zeltser, M. V., Schanker, B. D. 2012; 27 (5): 366-8

  View details for DOI 10.1177/1062860612452376

  View details for PubMedID 22964654

• Effectiveness of the SLICE Program for Youth Concussion Education CLINICAL JOURNAL OF SPORT MEDICINE Bagley, A. F., Daneshvar, D. H., Schanker, B. D., Zurakowski, D., d'Hemecourt, C. A., Nowinski, C. J., Cantu, R. C., Goulet, K. 2012; 22 (5): 385-389

  Abstract

  To analyze the effectiveness of the Sports Legacy Institute Community Educators (SLICE) curriculum for student-athletes on recognition and appropriate responses to concussions.Prospective cohort study, level II.The SLICE concussion workshop.All students ranging from 9 to 18 years (n = 636) taking the SLICE concussion education program.The SLICE concussion education program featuring interactive demonstrations, discussion, and case studies of athletes delivered by medical students and others in health-related fields.Evaluations assessing knowledge of concussion recognition and appropriate response were administered before and after participating in the SLICE concussion education program.Students displayed significant improvements in absolute mean score on the concussion knowledge quiz between prepresentation and postpresentation (P < 0.0001). Significant improvements in mean score were observed among both male and female students within each age group. The proportion of students who passed the quiz increased from 34% prepresentation to 80% postpresentation (P < 0.0001). However, the percentage who passed the quiz postpresentation was significantly higher among female students compared with male students (P < 0.0001) and among students 13 years of age or older compared with students less than 13 years (P < 0.0001). Using multivariable logistic regression, we identified age group and gender as the most significant factors associated with passing the quiz postpresentation.The SLICE program promotes effective learning and knowledge about concussion recognition and response among students ranging from 9 to 18 years. Lessons from the SLICE program may be broadly applicable to youth concussion education.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/JSM.0b013e3182639bb4

  View details for Web of Science ID 000308694400002

  View details for PubMedID 22929042

• Familial Chiari malformation: case series. Neurosurgical focus Schanker, B. D., Walcott, B. P., Nahed, B. V., Kahle, K. T., Li, Y. M., Coumans, J. C. 2011; 31 (3): E1

  Abstract

  Chiari malformations (Types I-IV) are abnormalities of the posterior fossa that affect the cerebellum, brainstem, and the spinal cord with prevalence rates of 0.1%-0.5%. Case reports of familial aggregation of Chiari malformation, twin studies, cosegregation of Chiari malformation with known genetic conditions, and recent gene and genome-wide association studies provide strong evidence of the genetic underpinnings of familial Chiari malformation. The authors report on a series of 3 family pairs with Chiari malformation Type I: 2 mother-daughter pairs and 1 father-daughter pair. The specific genetic causes of familial Chiari malformation have yet to be fully elucidated. The authors review the literature and discuss several candidate genes. Recent advances in the understanding of the genetic influences and pathogenesis of familial Chiari malformation are expected to improve management of affected patients and monitoring of at-risk family members.

  View details for DOI 10.3171/2011.6.FOCUS11104

  View details for PubMedID 21882906

• Time-resolved contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography in the investigation of suspected intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula. Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia Schanker, B. D., Walcott, B. P., Nahed, B. V., Ogilvy, C. S., Kiruluta, A. J., Rabinov, J. D., Copen, W. A. 2011; 18 (6): 837-9

  Abstract

  Cerebral angiography is widely regarded as the gold standard for the evaluation and diagnosis of neurovascular abnormalities. However, recent improvements in the spatial and temporal resolution of time-resolved magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) offer clinicians a non-invasive alternative to cerebral angiography. We explored the utility of this technique in an elderly female patient with a suspected intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF). A product pulse sequence available from the scanner's manufacturer (time-resolved imaging of contrast kinetics, TRICKS; GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA) was used with the following parameters: TR/TE 2.832/TE 1.072 ms, flip angle 25°, receiver bandwidth 31.25 kHz, 0.75 NEX, acceleration factor (ASSET) of 2, field of view 14 cm, matrix size 96 × 96, phase-encoding left-right. Twenty overlapping 8-mm-thick slices were acquired in an axial orientation, with a slice spacing of 4mm. Images were acquired at 48 time points, with a temporal resolution of 0.3s/image. We found that all intracranial venous structures enhanced synchronously. There was no evidence of arteriovenous shunting. Retrograde venous flow explained the signal abnormality seen on time-of-flight MRA. We concluded that time-resolved MRA is useful in the investigation of suspected intracranial dAVF.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jocn.2010.12.003

  View details for PubMedID 21504849

• Targeting funding sources: a strategic mechanism of research regulation. The American journal of bioethics : AJOB Schanker, B. D., Ulvestad, K. A. 2011; 11 (5): 17-8

  View details for DOI 10.1080/15265161.2011.552164

  View details for PubMedID 21534142

• DETERMINATION OF NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE PERSONALITY CHANGES WITH BRAIN NEOPLASIA USING CLINICAL ASSESSMENTS Schanker, B. D., Curry, W. T. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC. 2010: 60

  View details for Web of Science ID 000285082400262

• Relativistic perspectives of genetic enhancement: a challenge to future progress. The American journal of bioethics : AJOB Schanker, B. 2010; 10 (4): 74-6

  View details for DOI 10.1080/15265161003633011

  View details for PubMedID 20379932

• Medicine on the fringe: stem cell-based interventions in advance of evidence. Stem cells (Dayton, Ohio) Regenberg, A. C., Hutchinson, L. A., Schanker, B., Mathews, D. J. 2009; 27 (9): 2312-9

  Abstract

  Stem cell-based interventions (SCBIs) offer great promise; however, there is currently little internationally accepted, scientific evidence supporting the clinical use of SCBIs. The consensus within the scientific community is that a number of hurdles still need to be cleared. Despite this, SCBIs are currently being offered to patients. This article provides a content analysis of materials obtained from SCBI providers. We find content that strains credulity and almost no evidence of SCBIs being delivered in the context of clinical trials. We conclude that until scientific evidence is available, as a general rule, providers should only offer SCBIs in the context of controlled clinical trials. Clients should be aware that the risks and benefits of SCBIs are unknown, that their participation is unlikely to advance scientific knowledge, and they are likely to become ineligible to participate in future clinical trials of SCBIs. We recommend steps to promote patient education and enhance global oversight.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/stem.132

  View details for PubMedID 19544406

• Inevitable challenges in establishing a causal relationship between cell-based interventions for neurological conditions and neuropsychological changes. The American journal of bioethics : AJOB Schanker, B. D. 2009; 9 (5): 43-5

  View details for DOI 10.1080/15265160902788686

  View details for PubMedID 19396685