Adjunct Faculty
Adjunct faculty typically have an academic or research appointment at another institution and contribute or collaborate with one or more School of Medicine faculty members or programs.
Adjunct rank detailsMasanori Sasaki, MD, PhD
Professor Adjunct of NeurologyAbout
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Titles
Professor Adjunct of Neurology
Biography
2025: Professor and Chair, Division of Neuroscience, Department of Physiology,
Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Japan
2005:Board of the Japan Stroke Society (No. 20050807)
2002:Board of the Japan Neurosurgical Society (No. 5682)
1996:Medical Doctor License in Japan (Registration No. 378728)
Last Updated on December 24, 2025.
Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- PhD
- Sapporo Medical University (2001)
- MD
- Sapporo Medical University (1996)
Research
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Overview
My research
interest is in the area of cellular transplantation to repair spinal cord
injury. My work has primarily utilized neural cells derived from adult tissues
and processed for transplantation into injured spinal cord. I developed cells
from the olfactory system called olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) that
display unique properties that assist normal axon growth of olfactory sensory
neurons into the brain. I have also engineered adult stem cells derived from
bone marrow to hypersecrete a neurotrophic factor and has found that these
cells are neuroprotective. Collectively, my research has important clinical
implications and could lead to a clinical study in spinal cord injury patients.
ORCID
0000-0001-7961-9698
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Masanori Sasaki's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Masanori Sasaki's research output by year.
Jeffery Kocsis, PhD
Osamu Honmou, MD, PhD
Karen L Lankford, PhD
Andrew Tan, PhD
Hajime Tokuno, MD
Nancy Ruddle, PhD
97Publications
2,780Citations
Publications
2026
Mesenchymal stromal/stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in brain disorders: mechanisms of repair and recovery
Nakazaki M, Lankford K, Ukai R, Hirota R, Oka S, Sasaki M, Kocsis J, Honmou O. Mesenchymal stromal/stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in brain disorders: mechanisms of repair and recovery. Frontiers In Cellular Neuroscience 2026, 20: 1819046. PMID: 42179845, PMCID: PMC13193808, DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2026.1819046.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsMSC-sEVsCentral nervous systemMultiple sclerosisBlood-brain barrier restorationCargo to target cellsExtracellular vesiclesActivation of endogenous neural stem cellsPreservation of mitochondrial functionClinical validationPromotion of neurite outgrowthCytoskeletal remodelingMitophagy regulationTraumatic brain injuryEndogenous neural stem cellsCell-derived extracellular vesiclesGrowth signalsNeurological disordersMitochondrial functionAnti-inflammatory phenotypeBlood-brain barrierEffective regenerative therapiesCell-free approachCell-derived small extracellular vesiclesCell-free therapeuticsNeural stem cellsThe Pivotal Roles of Macrophages and Microglia in Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cell-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicle–Mediated Tissue Repair After Spinal Cord Injury
Nakazaki M, Lankford K, Yokoyama T, Ukai R, Hirota R, Oka S, Sasaki M, Kocsis J, Honmou O. The Pivotal Roles of Macrophages and Microglia in Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cell-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicle–Mediated Tissue Repair After Spinal Cord Injury. Frontiers In Bioscience-Landmark 2026, 31: 47612. PMID: 42052826, DOI: 10.31083/fbl47612.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsBlood-spinal cord barrierSpinal cord injuryNOD-like receptor protein 3Myeloid cellsMSC-sEVsTherapeutic benefitInfiltration of peripheral immune cellsPericyte-endothelial interactionsCell-free therapeutic approachProduction of proinflammatory cytokinesProtein re-expressionSpinal cord injury pathophysiologyCord injuryExpression of anti-inflammatory mediatorsPeripheral immune cellsTransforming growth factor-betaActivated B cellsCD206+ macrophagesKappa-light-chain-enhancerRemoval of myelin debrisProgression of injuryM2-like phenotypeAnti-inflammatory mediatorsGrowth factor-betaReprogramming of macrophagesComparison of Ultrasound and MRI for Measuring Foramen Magnum Diameter in Neonates and Infants: A Preliminary Study
Terada K, Yabusaki S, Ota K, Ito Y, Ono T, Umami S, Abe H, Tomita M, Yabuki I, Fusagawa S, Daimon Y, Ohara T, Sakai T, Sasaki M, Tsugawa T, Kihara M. Comparison of Ultrasound and MRI for Measuring Foramen Magnum Diameter in Neonates and Infants: A Preliminary Study. Pediatrics International 2026, 68: e70451. PMID: 42299046, DOI: 10.1111/ped.70451.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsNeonatal intensive care unitForamen magnum diameterMagnetic resonance imagingShort-term follow-upBland-Altman analysisMagnetic resonance imaging measuresUS measurementsCraniovertebral junction abnormalitiesForamen magnum stenosisHigh-risk infantsConventional magnetic resonance imagingMid-sagittal viewComparison of ultrasoundModerate inter-observer reliabilityIntensive care unitNon-invasive bedside toolCongenital skeletal disordersIntra-observer reliabilityCervical ultrasoundNo significant differenceCraniovertebral junctionDefinitive diagnosisInter-observer reliabilityJunction abnormalitiesSkull base
2025
Mesenchymal stem cells reverse disease-specific abnormalities in nociceptive regions of the brain
Fukushi R, Sasaki M, Obara H, Kurihara K, Hirota R, Morita T, Teramoto A, Yamashita T, Tan A, Waxman S, Kocsis J, Honmou O. Mesenchymal stem cells reverse disease-specific abnormalities in nociceptive regions of the brain. Brain Communications 2025, 8: fcaf494. PMID: 41509715, PMCID: PMC12776362, DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaf494.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsPeripheral nerve injury modelSystemic administration of mesenchymal stem cellsNerve injury modelAdministration of mesenchymal stem cellsMushroom-shaped spinesNeuropathic painSpinal cord injuryMesenchymal stem cellsSystemic administrationStem cellsDendritic spine morphologyInjury modelRemodeling of dendritic spinesDendritic spinesDorsal hornCord injuryAbnormal remodelingPeripheral nervesAbstract Neuropathic painNeuropathic pain presentationNeuropathic pain conditionsSpared nerve injuryBrain regionsSomatosensory nervous systemSpine morphologyTherapeutic Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Modulating Oxidative Stress in Puromycin-Induced Nephropathy
Iizuka Y, Sasaki M, Terada K, Sakai T, Nagaoka Y, Fukumura S, Kocsis J, Tsugawa T, Honmou O. Therapeutic Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Modulating Oxidative Stress in Puromycin-Induced Nephropathy. Pathophysiology 2025, 32: 19. PMID: 40407599, PMCID: PMC12101160, DOI: 10.3390/pathophysiology32020019.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsMesenchymal stem cellsQuantitative real-time reverse-transcription PCRMSC infusionNephrotic syndromePAN injectionModulating oxidative stressIntravenously infused mesenchymal stem cellsIntravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cellsInfusion of mesenchymal stem cellsStem cellsInfused mesenchymal stem cellsOxidative stressEfficacy of mesenchymal stem cellsPodocyte structureSprague-Dawley ratsGFP-labeled mesenchymal stem cellsTherapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cellsOxidative stress modulationPotential therapeutic approachReal-time reverse-transcription PCRCreatinine levelsReduce proteinuriaIntravenous infusionUrinary albuminTherapeutic efficacyIntravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells increased axonal signal intensity in the rubrospinal tract in spinal cord injury
Hirota R, Sasaki M, Teramoto A, Yamashita T, Kocsis J, Honmou O. Intravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells increased axonal signal intensity in the rubrospinal tract in spinal cord injury. Molecular Brain 2025, 18: 35. PMID: 40241097, PMCID: PMC12004759, DOI: 10.1186/s13041-025-01210-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsIntravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cellsInfusion of mesenchymal stem cellsSpinal cord injuryIntravenous infusionMesenchymal stem cellsRubrospinal tractCircuit reorganizationInfused mesenchymal stem cellsCord injuryNeural circuit reorganizationNeuronal tracing techniquesSignal intensityInjury siteFunctional improvementSpontaneous recoveryStem cellsDescending tractsAxonal connectionsInjuryAxonal growthTractAxonal network
2024
Multiple intravenous infusions versus a single infusion of mesenchymal stem cells in a rat model of cerebral ischemia.
Yokoyama T, Sasaki M, Nagahama H, Kataoka-Sasaki Y, Ukai R, Oka S, Kocsis J, Honmou O. Multiple intravenous infusions versus a single infusion of mesenchymal stem cells in a rat model of cerebral ischemia. Journal Of Neurosurgery 2024, 142: 684-692. PMID: 39454218, DOI: 10.3171/2024.6.jns241111.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsInfusion of mesenchymal stem cellsMiddle cerebral artery occlusionMiddle cerebral artery occlusion inductionMesenchymal stem cellsCorpus callosumSystemic infusion of mesenchymal stem cellsMultiple infusionsAcute phaseMesenchymal stem cell infusionCerebral ischemiaStem cellsMultiple intravenous infusionsRat model of cerebral ischemiaHigh-dose infusionPermanent middle cerebral artery occlusionIschemic lesion volumeModels of cerebral ischemiaCC thicknessRandomized clinical trialsCerebral artery occlusionNeural tractsAcute cerebral strokeFunctional recovery outcomesMRI diffusion tensor imagingMSC-3Intravenous Infusion of Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expanded in Auto Serum for Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Patients: A Case Series
Hirota R, Sasaki M, Iyama S, Kurihara K, Fukushi R, Obara H, Oshigiri T, Morita T, Nakazaki M, Namioka T, Namioka A, Onodera R, Kataoka-Sasaki Y, Oka S, Takemura M, Ukai R, Yokoyama T, Sasaki Y, Yamashita T, Kobayashi M, Okuma Y, Kondo R, Aichi R, Ohmatsu S, Kawashima N, Ito Y, Kobune M, Takada K, Ishiai S, Ogata T, Teramoto A, Yamashita T, Kocsis J, Honmou O. Intravenous Infusion of Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells Expanded in Auto Serum for Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Patients: A Case Series. Journal Of Clinical Medicine 2024, 13: 6072. PMID: 39458022, PMCID: PMC11509003, DOI: 10.3390/jcm13206072.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsAmerican Spinal Injury Association Impairment ScaleSevere spinal cord injuryMesenchymal stem cell infusionAutologous mesenchymal stem cellsIntravenous infusionCase seriesMesenchymal stem cellsQuality of lifeAuto-serumSpinal cord injuryFunctional improvementChronic spinal cord injury patientsIntravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cellsInfusion of mesenchymal stem cellsStem cellsCord injurySpinal Cord Independence Measure IIIAmerican Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grades CSpinal cord injury patientsChronic SCI patientsClassification of Spinal Cord InjuryNeurological Classification of Spinal Cord InjurySignificant functional improvementAssociation Impairment ScaleInternational Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord InjuryIntravenous infusion of auto-serum-expanded autologous mesenchymal stem cells into chronic severe brain injury patients
Yamaki T, Oka S, Iyama S, Sasaki M, Onodera R, Kataoka-Sasaki Y, Namioka T, Namioka A, Nakazaki M, Takemura M, Ukai R, Yokoyama T, Sasaki Y, Yamashita T, Kobayashi M, Yamaguchi M, Fukino M, Takazawa T, Hayasaka M, Owaku T, Funakura M, Onodera S, Ito Y, Kobune M, Kato J, Ishiai S, Kocsis J, Odaki M, Iwadate Y, Kobayashi S, Honmou O. Intravenous infusion of auto-serum-expanded autologous mesenchymal stem cells into chronic severe brain injury patients. Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery 2024, 36: 101927. DOI: 10.1016/j.inat.2023.101927.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsSevere brain injury patientsAutologous mesenchymal stem cellsBrain injury patientsIntravenous infusionMesenchymal stem cellsAdverse eventsInjury patientsInfused mesenchymal stem cellsHealth Stroke ScaleSerious adverse eventsFugl-Meyer AssessmentInitial case seriesBrain metabolic activityStem cellsMSC infusionStroke ScaleNeurological deteriorationBarthel IndexCase seriesCNS tumorsNeurological functionFunctional statusFunctional improvementChronic patientsPlacebo effectA Surgical Protocol for Establishing Spinal Cord Ischemia with Extended Lifespan and Low Complication Rates in Rats
Yasuda N, Sasaki M, Kocsis J, Kawaharada N, Honmou O. A Surgical Protocol for Establishing Spinal Cord Ischemia with Extended Lifespan and Low Complication Rates in Rats. World Neurosurgery 2024, 188: e349-e356. PMID: 38789035, DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.05.114.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsIschemic spinal cord injurySpinal cord ischemiaCord ischemiaComplication rateRat modelTherapeutic strategiesEvaluate new therapeutic strategiesFunctional recoveryMale Sprague-Dawley ratsLow complication rateSprague-Dawley ratsSpecialized surgical equipmentExperimental animal modelsImprove functional recoveryPromote functional recoverySpinal cord injuryCross-clampingSevere neurological disordersAzygos veinSurgical protocolDescending AortaBulldog clampsLumbar levelsSpinal cordIschemic lesions
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
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Activities
activity The VA Merit Review panel: Neuro-SCI/Neuroregen/RGM, RRD0
2009 - 2011Peer Review Groups and Grant Study SectionsRevieweractivity The New Jersey Commission on Spinal Cord Research (NJCSCR)
2008 - 2008Peer Review Groups and Grant Study SectionsReviewerDetailsReviewer
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