Jason A. Brant
· Associate ProfessorVerifiedUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison · Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences
Active 1973–2026
About
Jason A. Brant, M.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and serves as the Director of Neurotology Research. His research program, known as the A²I Lab, focuses on improving hearing restoration through an integrated clinical and bioengineering approach. A central goal of his work is to address the substantial variability in outcomes observed with cochlear implants by identifying both patient-specific and device-related factors that limit performance. Clinically, his research examines indications, surgical techniques, and speech outcomes to better define the constraints of current cochlear implant technology. In parallel, his laboratory develops next-generation neural interfaces designed to overcome limitations of the electrode–nerve interface, which is a key bottleneck in cochlear implant function. One of the lab's key projects involves developing transplantable biohybrid neural interfaces, termed "Living Electrodes," which aim to provide higher precision in stimulation of the auditory system beyond what current metal electrodes can achieve. Dr. Brant's work also explores cortical population coding and network effects of cochlear implant stimulation during behavior, using in-vivo approaches in animal models to understand how central plasticity contributes to cochlear implant outcomes. His lab employs a variety of advanced techniques including cell culture, tissue engineering, in-vivo electrophysiology, artificial intelligence, immunohistochemistry, and 3D printing to support this research. Through these efforts, Dr. Brant aims to improve the fidelity and effectiveness of cochlear implants, ultimately enhancing speech understanding and auditory rehabilitation for patients with severe hearing loss.
Research topics
- Medicine
- Internal medicine
- Biology
- Audiology
- Oncology
- Surgery
- Database
- Pathology
- Genetics
- General surgery
Selected publications
Research Square · 2026-03-10
preprintOpen access1st authorCorrespondingSpeech Outcomes of Cochlear Implantation, from 1983 to Present: A Systematic Review
Otology & Neurotology · 2025-02-28 · 1 citations
reviewOBJECTIVE: We sought to assess whether the totality of advancements seen in cochlear implant (CI) design and implementation have translated to significant improvements in speech perception scores. DATABASES REVIEWED: EMBASE, PubMed/MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. METHODS: A systematic review of all English-language studies in peer-reviewed journals from 1946 to August 2022 was performed based on the Cochrane Handbook and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Eligible studies were of adult patients who underwent cochlear implantation with Cochlear®, Med-EL, or Advanced Bionics devices with 12 months postoperative sentence recognition testing results. Meta-regression was performed to assess the relationship between speech recognition score and year of implantation. Preimplantation score and unilateral versus bilateral implantation were adjusted for. Subgroup analysis was performed by restricting to studies of <5 years duration and in which outcomes were measured ≤12 months postoperatively to reduce the likelihood of patients with remotely implanted devices having undergone upgrades to more contemporary coding software. RESULTS: A total of 37 studies met criteria for inclusion, representing CIs implanted between 1983 and 2019. No significant association was identified between median study year and scores on 12-month postoperative sentence recognition testing on any of AzBio in quiet, CNC words, or HINT sentences in quiet. Subgroup analysis showed no difference in outcomes across 15 studies including patients implanted from 2007 to 2019. CONCLUSION: In the absence of improved CI coding strategies since 2007, speech recognition outcomes in quiet have also not improved significantly since this time.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences · 2025-12-27 · 5 citations
articleOpen accessBACKGROUND: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are gaining popularity as multipurpose treatment modalities with an emerging role in the treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). This meta-analysis aimed to summarize the efficacy and safety of GLP-1 RAs in comparison to conventional management. METHODS: MEDLINE and Cochrane databases were searched from inception through August 2025 using keywords related to "idiopathic intracranial hypertension", "papilledema", and "GLP-1 receptor agonist". All studies comparing adult IIH patients receiving GLP-1 RAs to those receiving conventional management were eligible for inclusion. Studies including patients having received any prior treatment for IIH were excluded. Of the initially retrieved 35 articles, 9 studies were included in our meta-analysis. The main outcome measures included change in body mass index (BMI), intracranial pressure (ICP), headache-related parameters, and ophthalmologic parameters. Safety outcomes included mortality risk, risk of refractory IIH (defined as needing surgical intervention), and other adverse events. RESULTS: Nine studies comprising 13,257 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The results suggested that GLP-1 RAs confer a beneficial treatment effect with respect to risk of headache (RR: 0.73; 95 % CI: 0.61-0.86), papilledema (RR: 0.38; 95 % CI: 0.25-0.56), visual worsening (RR: 0.51; 95 % CI: 0.37-0.68), mortality (RR: 0.20; 95 % CI: 0.07-0.59), and risk of refractory IIH (RR: 0.76; 95 % CI: 0.65-0.89)). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis demonstrates that GLP-1 RAs are more effective than conventional treatment options for managing IIH, with particular utility in preventing disease progression and surgical intervention. Future well-powered RCTs are necessitated to validate our findings.
The Laryngoscope · 2025-08-26
letterSenior authorThe authors have nothing to report.
Radiation-induced cavernous malformation within a vestibular schwannoma: A case report
SAGE Open Medical Case Reports · 2025-10-01 · 1 citations
articleOpen accessCavernous malformations are a well-described complication of intracranial radiation; however, have only once previously been described within a vestibular schwannoma following radiotherapy. We report a case of a 78-year-old woman presenting with new hemifacial spasm 16-years following fractionated radiotherapy for a vestibular schwannoma, with imaging suggesting the formation of a cavernous malformation within the tumor. The patient underwent translabyrinthine resection, with final pathology confirming the diagnosis of a cavernous malformation within the vestibular schwannoma. This case highlights the need to maintain a broad differential in patients with new symptoms following radiotherapy for vestibular schwannomas, including hemifacial spasm. Cavernous malformations should be considered among potential radiation-related complications in patients with vestibular schwannoma. Level of Evidence: IV
Nodal Metastasis in Surgically Treated Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Research Square · 2025-04-21
preprintOpen accessElective Neck Dissection in cT1‐4 N0M0 Head and Neck Spindle Cell Carcinoma
Otolaryngology · 2025-04-21 · 3 citations
articleOpen accessAbstract Objective To investigate the survival benefit of elective neck dissection (END) over neck observation in surgically resected cT1‐4 N0M0 head and neck spindle cell carcinoma (HNSpCC). Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting The 2006 to 2018 hospital‐based National Cancer Database (NCDB). Methods Patients with surgically resected cT1‐4 N0M0 HNSpCC were selected. Linear, binary logistic, Kaplan‐Meier, and Cox proportional hazards regression models were implemented. Results Of 815 patients satisfying inclusion criteria, a high proportion were male (72.4%) and white (86.0%) with disease of the larynx (43.8%) classified as high grade (87.7%) and cT1‐2 (74.8%). In total, 235 (28.8%) patients underwent END. END utilization between 2006 and 2018 increased for cT1‐2 disease (4.0% vs 30.5%, R 2 = 0.731) and for cT3‐4 disease (15.4% vs 84.6%, R 2 = 0.606). In total, 58 (24.7%) ENDs detected occult nodal metastases (ONMs). The 5‐year overall survival (OS) of patients undergoing neck observation and END was 62% and 54%, respectively ( P = .215). Among patients undergoing END, patients with ONM had worse 5‐year OS than those without ONM (38% vs 60%, P < .001). On multivariable Cox regression, END was not associated with OS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.74, 95% CI 0.68‐1.32, P = .735); ONM (hazard ratio [HR] 2.01, 95% CI 1.29‐3.12, P = .002) was associated with worse OS. Conclusion END is performed in a high proportion (30%) of patients with cN0M0 HNSpCC but is not associated with higher OS. The rate of ONM approaching 25% and the association between ONM and worse OS, however, justify consideration of END in HNSpCC. Level of Evidence: 4.
Treatment of Biopsy‐Proven Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Situ
Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology · 2025-10-01
articleOpen accessABSTRACT Objective To investigate the impact of clinical surveillance, primary radiotherapy, and primary surgery on overall survival (OS) in laryngeal carcinoma in situ (Cis). Methods The 2006–2020 National Cancer Database was queried for adults with a biopsy‐proven diagnosis of laryngeal Cis. Multivariable binary logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models were implemented. Results Of 3567 unique patients satisfying inclusion criteria, 514 (14.4%) underwent clinical surveillance, 1074 (30.1%) underwent primary radiotherapy, and 1979 (55.5%) underwent primary surgery. Receiving treatment at an academic/research facility was associated with higher odds of undergoing primary surgery compared to primary radiotherapy. Among 646 patients undergoing primary surgery with known pT classification and margins, 570 (76.6%) had pTis and NSM and 174 (23.4%) had pT1 and/or PSM. 5‐year OS of clinical surveillance, primary radiotherapy, and primary surgery was 73%, 81%, and 86%, respectively ( p < 0.001). Patients undergoing primary surgery with invasive or residual disease (i.e., pT1 and/or PSM) had similar 5‐year OS as those without (84% vs. 88%, p = 0.057). Compared with primary radiotherapy, clinical surveillance (aHR 1.29, 95% CI 1.06–1.57, p = 0.003) was associated with worse OS, and primary surgery (aHR 0.80, 95% CI 0.69–0.92, p = 0.003) was associated with higher OS. Conclusion Primary surgery is associated with higher OS than clinical surveillance and primary radiotherapy among patients with laryngeal Cis. Level of Evidence 4.
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience · 2025-05-13
articleOpen accessBACKGROUND: The transfemoral approach has traditionally been the primary access site for catheter-guided venography. Recently, upper extremity transvenous access (UETV) has emerged as a promising alternative for neurointerventional procedures, offering potential advantages such as reduced bleeding risk, improved ergonomics, faster recovery, shorter procedure and fluoroscopy times, and a lower likelihood of inadvertent arterial puncture. This study reports on a single-center experience of UETV for neurointerventional venous therapy. METHODS: A total of 158 diagnostic venograms and venous interventions were performed by a single operator between 2020 and 2024 at a single center, with primary intent to use the upper extremity veins for venous access. Data on patient demographics, procedural details, radiographic findings, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 158 procedures, successful upper extremity catheterization was achieved in 155 cases (98.1%), with 149 (94.3%) completed successfully. Conversion to a femoral approach was necessary in 3 cases (1.9%), all of which were completed successfully. Six interventions (3.8%) were aborted due to challenges in navigating the intracranial veins and venous sinuses that were unrelated to peripheral access. Minor complications occurred in 8 patients (5.1%); no major complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This single-center study demonstrates the feasibility and safety of upper extremity-only transvenous access for neurointerventional procedures in the management of complex cerebrovascular diseases. The cephalic and basilic veins of the antecubital fossa veins are recommended as primary access sites. These findings represent the largest case series to date using an upper extremity-first transvenous approach for neurointerventional therapy.
Hypoalbuminemia and Postoperative Outcomes Following Major Salivary Gland Resection
Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology · 2025-02-01
articleOpen accessABSTRACT Objective Hypoalbuminemia (HA) is a proxy for malnutrition that has been associated with postoperative complications in several surgical subspecialties. This study investigates the association between pre‐operative HA and complications following major salivary gland (MSG) resection. Methods Patients undergoing outpatient, elective MSG resection were extracted from the 2005 to 2020 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Demographics and comorbidities were compared between HA (preoperative serum albumin < 3.5 g/dL) and non‐HA cohorts. To determine associations between albumin status and postoperative complications, univariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Results A total of 5774 patients undergoing MSG resection were included, of which 321 (5.6%) had preoperative HA. HA was associated with older age on univariate analysis (65.2 vs. 60.2 years, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis found HA to be independently associated with any surgical complication (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.09–3.56, p = 0.019) and length of stay (LOS) ≥ 90th percentile (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.04–2.38, p = 0.032). Conclusion Preoperative HA may be a poor prognostic factor associated with an increased risk of surgical complications and prolonged LOS among patients undergoing MSG resection. Level of Evidence 4.
Frequent coauthors
- 75 shared
Michael J. Ruckenstein
University of Pennsylvania
- 63 shared
Ryan M. Carey
Philadelphia VA Medical Center
- 58 shared
Robert M. Brody
University of Pennsylvania
- 49 shared
Douglas C. Bigelow
University of Pennsylvania
- 46 shared
Jason G. Newman
Medical University of South Carolina
- 43 shared
Alexandra E. Quimby
University of Pennsylvania
- 41 shared
Tiffany P. Hwa
Presbyterian Hospital
- 35 shared
Steven J. Eliades
Duke University
Labs
Education
- 2016
Fellow - Otology/Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- 2014
Resident, Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- 2009
MA/MD, Medicine
Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine
- 2004
BS BME, Biomedical Engineering
Washington University in Saint Louis
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