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
- Associate Research Scientist
- Yale University, School of Medicine, Neurology (2011)
- Postdoctoral Associate
- Yale University, School of Medicine, Neurology (2005)
- PhD
- Sapporo Medical University (2001)
- MD
- Sapporo Medical University (1996)
- Resident
- Sapporo Medical University, Neurosurgery (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
2,695Citations
Publications
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, fcaf494. DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaf494.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPeripheral 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 ResearchConceptsMesenchymal 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 ResearchAltmetricMeSH 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 ResearchCitationsConceptsInfusion 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 ResearchConceptsIschemic 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
2023
Rehabilitation facilitates functional improvement following intravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells in the chronic phase of cerebral ischemia in rats
Yamashita T, Sasaki M, Sasaki Y, Nagahama H, Oka S, Kataoka-Sasaki Y, Ukai R, Yokoyama T, Kobayashi M, Kakizawa M, Kocsis J, Honmou O. Rehabilitation facilitates functional improvement following intravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells in the chronic phase of cerebral ischemia in rats. Brain Research 2023, 1825: 148709. PMID: 38072373, DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148709.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsActin Alpha 2, Smooth Muscle (ACTA2) Is Involved in the Migratory Potential of Malignant Gliomas, and Its Increased Expression at Recurrence Is a Significant Adverse Prognostic Factor
Hoshimaru T, Nonoguchi N, Kosaka T, Furuse M, Kawabata S, Yagi R, Kurisu Y, Kashiwagi H, Kameda M, Takami T, Kataoka-Sasaki Y, Sasaki M, Honmou O, Hiramatsu R, Wanibuchi M. Actin Alpha 2, Smooth Muscle (ACTA2) Is Involved in the Migratory Potential of Malignant Gliomas, and Its Increased Expression at Recurrence Is a Significant Adverse Prognostic Factor. Brain Sciences 2023, 13: 1477. PMID: 37891844, PMCID: PMC10605410, DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101477.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsActin alpha 2Malignant gliomasDistant recurrenceACTA2 expressionKD groupSmooth muscleSignificant adverse prognostic factorMode of recurrenceAlpha 2Progression-free survivalAdverse prognostic factorHuman malignant glioma cell linesMalignant glioma cell linesClinical glioma samplesGlioma cell linesPrognostic factorsBrain invasionTumor recurrenceInvasive tumorsNovel therapiesGlioma patientsSame patientRecurrenceControl groupPotential biomarkersRepeated intravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells enhances recovery of motor function in a rat model with chronic spinal cord injury
Kurihara K, Sasaki M, Nagahama H, Obara H, Fukushi R, Hirota R, Yoshimoto M, Teramoto A, Kocsis J, Yamashita T, Honmou O. Repeated intravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells enhances recovery of motor function in a rat model with chronic spinal cord injury. Brain Research 2023, 1817: 148484. PMID: 37442249, DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148484.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSpinal cord injuryInfusion of MSCsChronic spinal cord injuryMesenchymal stem cellsAxonal sproutingCord injuryHD-MSCsIntravenous infusionMotor functionVehicle groupWeek 6Single high-dose infusionInjection of MSCsChronic SCI ratsSingle MSC injectionGreater functional recoveryRat SCI modelSingle intravenous infusionHigh-dose infusionLimited treatment optionsGreater functional improvementSingle high doseHigh disease burdenVivo diffusion tensor imagingEx vivo diffusion tensor imaging
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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