James Drake, BSE, MB, PhD, BCh, MSc, FRCSC
The Hospital for Sick Children
Head
Neurosurgery
Research Institute
Senior Associate Scientist
Neurosciences & Mental Health
University of Toronto
Professor
Surgery
Other Positions
Bloorview MacMillan Children's Centre
Consultant Neurosurgeon
Phone: 416-813-6125
Fax: 416-813-4975
e-mail: james.drake@sickkids.ca
Brief Biography
Born in London, Ontario, and educated at Princeton University (1969-1974), Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (1974), University of Toronto (1986-1987), and Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (1987). Training included a research fellowship funded by the Medical Research Council of Canada (1986-1987) in Hydrocephalus. Assumed his appointment in the Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery in 1988, and has been on the surgical staff at The Hospital for Sick Children in the Division of Paediatric Neurosurgery since then.
Primary research and clinical interests relate to the science and surgery of hydrocephalus. Laboratory interests lie in the applications of engineering science to developing novel techniques for diagnosing and treating hydrocephalus, and image guided surgery. Clinical research includes clinical trials in hydrocephalus and management of complex spinal disorders. Works include 84 peer reviewed publications, and a co-authored a book on cerebrospinal fluid shunts. A member of the editorial board of Computer Assisted Surgery, and the Medical Advisory Board for the Hydrocephalus Association in San Francisco, California. A full professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto.
Research Interests
- Clinical research in hydrocephalus and spasticity
- Basic research in bioengineering and mathematical models
- Neuroendoscopy
- Complex shunt problems
- Computer assisted surgery
Research ActivitiesÂ
Hydrocephalus is an abnormal accumulation of spinal fluid within the fluid containing spaces of the brain, and is very common in children. It is normally treated with a valved drainage tube called a shunt, which stops working at a rate of 50 per cent in two years.
The hydrocephalus research program is focusing on clinical and basic research into the reasons for shunt failure. This includes randomized trials for new shunt valves and surgical insertion techniques including the use of miniature scopes; prospective studies of shunt failure looking at risk factors for failure; prospective study of shunt infection; and development of clinical outcome measures in children with hydrocephalus. Basic research focuses on developing minimally invasive techniques for unblocking shunts, and development of mathematical models of the hydrocephalic brain for improved shunt valve design and placement.
Publications
Hader W, Drake JM, Sparrow O, Johnson ES, Kestle J: Death after late failure of third ventriculostomy in children. Report of three cases. Journal of Neurosurgery: 97(1): pp 211-215, 2002.
Kulkarni AV, Drake JM, Rabin D, Dirks PB, Humphreys RP, Rutka JT: Measuring the health status outcome of children with hydrocephalus. Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences: 29(1): pp 18, 2002.
Lo PA, Drake JM, Hedden D, Narotam P, Dirks PB: Avulsion transverse ligament injuries in children: successful treatment with nonoperative management. Report of three cases. Journal of Neurosurgery: 96(3Suppl): pp 338-342, 2002.
Lo P, Drake JM: Shunt malfunctions. Clinical Neurosurgery - Neurosurgery Clinic of North America: 36, No.4: pp 12:695-701, 2001.
Taylor MD, Mainprize TG, Rutka JT, Becker L, Bayani J, Drake JM: Medulloblastoma in a child with Rubenstein-Taybi syndrome: case report and review of the literature. Pediatric Neurosurgery: 35: pp 235-238, 2001.
Sandberg DI, Lamberti-Pasculli M, Drake JM, Humphreys RP, Rutka JT: Spontaneous intraparenchymal hemorrhage in full-term neonates. Neurosurgery: 48: pp 1042-1049, 2001.
Myles LM, Massicotte P, Drake JM: Intracranial hemorrhage in neonates with unrecognized hemophilia A - a persisting problem. Pediatric Neurosurgery: 34/2: pp 94-97, 2001.
Lawless JF, Wigg MB, Tuli S, Drake J, Lamberti-Pasculli M: Analysis of repeated failures or durations, with application to shunt failures for patients with paediatric hydrocephalus. Applied Statistics (2001 Royal Statistical Society): 50, Part 4: pp 449-465, 2001.
Kulkarni AV, Rabin D, Lamberti-Pasculli M, Drake JM: Repeat cerebrospinal fluid shunt infection in children. Pediatric Neurosurgery: 35: pp 66-71, 2001.