Assaf Berger, MD

Assaf Berger, MD

Assaf Berger, MD is a neurosurgeon and stereotactic radiosurgery expert. Originally from Tel Aviv, Israel, Dr. Berger is currently also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo.
Dr. Berger’s passion for his specialty is reflected by his research accomplishments, particularly when it comes to topics that focus on improving patient outcomes, treatment of brain tumors, and advancements in neurosurgical intervention.
His work has been recognized internationally, including awards from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the Asian Australasian Society of Neurological Surgeons (AASNS). 40+ of Dr. Berger’s research projects have been published in industry journals; He reviews his peers’ work for publication, as well.

Education

  • Doctor of Medicine, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University
  • Bachelor of Medical Sciences, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

Postdoctoral Training

  • Functional Neurosurgery Fellowship, NYU Langone Medical Center
  • Stereotactic Radiosurgery Fellowship, NYU Langone Medical Center
  • Neurosurgery Residency, Tel Aviv Medical Center

Affiliations

  • Assistant Professor at the Department of Neurosurgery, Functional Neurosurgery Unit, State University of New York at Buffalo

Honors and Awards

  • Rosenblum-Mahaley Clinical Research Award for the project “GRASP Dynamic Contrast-enhanced MRI Can Assist in Distinguishing Brain Metastases from Radiation Effects After Stereotactic Radiosurgery,” American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Section on Tumors
  •  Best clinical research work award for “The incidence and impact of stroke following surgery for low-grade gliomas,” Asian Australasian Society of Neurological Surgeons (AACNS)
  • Chief Medical Officer’s award for exemplary performance, Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
  • Best graduation thesis project award for “Erythropoietin and Cyclophosphamide Combination Treatment Additively Enhances Antibody Production in Mice”, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University

Publications

  • Berger A, Hochberg U, Zegerman A, Tellem R, Strauss I. Neurosurgical ablative procedures for intractable cancer pain. J Neurosurg. Published online May 10, 2019:1-8. doi:10.3171/2019.2.JNS183159 URL: https://thejns.org/view/journals/j-neurosurg/133/1/article-p144.xml#:~:text=Patients%20who%20suffer%20from%20refractory,the%20patient's%20specific%20pain%20syndrome.
  • Berger A, Mangel L, Basal S, et al. Predictors of functional recovery following surgery for foot drop due to degenerative lumbar disease. J Neurosurg Spine. Published online October 8, 2021:1-6. doi:10.3171/2021.5.SPINE21350 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34624844/
  • Berger A, Strauss I, Ben Moshe S, et al. Neurocognitive evaluation of brain metastases patients treated with post-resection stereotactic radiosurgery: a prospective single arm clinical trial. J Neurooncol. 2018;140(2):307-315. doi:10.1007/s11060-018-2954-x https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30078070/
  • Berger A, Findler M, Korach T, Yativ OF, Gronovich Y, Hassidim A. Is Male Migraine Associated With Color Vision Deficiency? Findings Among Israeli Adolescents Between 2007 and 2013. J Child Neurol. 2016;31(5):593-596. doi:10.1177/0883073815604226 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26385974/
  • Berger A, Tzarfati G, Costa M, et al. Incidence and impact of stroke following surgery for lowgrade gliomas. J Neurosurg. Published online December 27, 2019:1-9. doi:10.3171/2019.10.JNS192301 https://thejns.org/view/journals/j-neurosurg/134/1/article-p153.xml#:~:text=RESULTS,surgeries%20(p%20%3C%200.05).
  • Berger A, Shahar T, Margalit N. Herpes Simplex Type 2 Encephalitis After Craniotomy: Case Report and Literature Review. World Neurosurg. 2016;88:691.e9-691.e12. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2015.11.101 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26724620/
  • Berger A, Grossman E, Katz M, et al. Exercise systolic blood pressure variability is associated with increased risk for new-onset hypertension among normotensive adults. J Am Soc Hypertens. 2016;10(6):527-535.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jash.2016.04.003 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27292824/
  • Berger A, Grossman E, Katz M, et al. Exercise blood pressure and the risk for future hypertension among normotensive middle-aged adults. J Am Heart Assoc. 2015;4(4):e001710. doi:10.1161/JAHA.114.001710 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25904593/
  • Berger A, Findler M, Maymon D, et al. Color Vision Deficiency and Functional Disorders Among Israeli Male Adolescents Between 2007 and 2013. J Child Neurol. 2016;31(10):1245-1249. doi:10.1177/0883073816650040 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27280722/
  • Berger A, Constantini S, Ram Z, Roth J. Acute subdural hematomas in shunted normal-pressure hydrocephalus patients - Management options and literature review: A case-based series. Surg Neurol Int. 2018;9:238. doi:10.4103/sni.sni_338_18 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6287333/
  • Berger A, Tellem R, Arad M, Hochberg U, Gonen T, Strauss I. [NEUROSURGICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR INTRACTABLE ONCOLOGICAL PAIN]. Harefuah. 2018;157(2):108-111. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29484867/
  • Berger A, Cohen N, Fahoum F, et al. Preoperative localization of seizure onset zones by magnetic source imaging, EEG-correlated functional MRI, and their combination. J Neurosurg. 2020;134(3):1037-1043. doi:10.3171/2020.3.JNS192794 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32413858/
  • Berger A, Artzi M, Aizenstein O, et al. Cervical Cordotomy for Intractable Pain: Do Postoperative Imaging Features Correlate with Pain Outcomes and Mirror Pain? AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2021;42(4):794-800. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A6999 https://www.ajnr.org/content/42/4/794
  • Berger A, Galbraith K, Snuderl M, Golfinos JG, Kondziolka D. Absence of residual tumor tissue after Gamma Knife radiosurgery followed by resection of a vestibular schwannoma: illustrative case. Journal of Neurosurgery: Case Lessons. 2022;3(2). doi:10.3171/CASE21614 https://thejns.org/caselessons/view/journals/j-neurosurg-case-lessons/3/2/article-CASE21614.xml
  • Bartoli A, Soleman J, Berger A, et al. Treatment Options for Hydrocephalus Following Foramen Magnum Decompression for Chiari I Malformation: A Multicenter Study. Neurosurgery. 2020;86(4):500-508. doi:10.1093/neuros/nyz211 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31232427/
  • Gelerstein E, Berger A, Jonas-Kimchi T, et al. Regression of intracranial meningioma following treatment with nivolumab: Case report and review of the literature. J Clin Neurosci. 2017;37:51-53. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2016.11.011 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28089420/
  • Hochberg U, Berger A, Atias M, Tellem R, Strauss I. Tailoring of neurosurgical ablative procedures in the management of refractory cancer pain. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2020;45(9):696-701. doi:10.1136/rapm-2020-101566 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32699105/
  • Lifshitz L, Berger A, Mittelman M, Neumann D. Erythropoietin and cyclophosphamide combination treatment additively enhances antibody production in mice. Acta Haematol. 2010;123(2):81-83. doi:10.1159/000268854 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20029172/
  • Roth J, Berger A, Constantini S. Endoscopic Transseptal Transcaval Interforniceal Approach to the Posterior Third Ventricle in the Presence of Cavum Septum Pellucidum. World Neurosurg. 2017;103:768-771. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2017.04.116 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28456741/
  • Sapir Y, Korn A, Bitan-Talmor Y, et al. Intraoperative Neurophysiology for Optimization of Percutaneous Spinothalamic Cordotomy for Intractable Cancer Pain. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). 2020;19(6):E566-E572. doi:10.1093/ons/opaa209 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32710768/
  • Strauss I, Berger A, Arad M, Hochberg U, Tellem R. O-Arm-Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Cordotomy. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 2017;95(6):409-416. doi:10.1159/000484614 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29316547/
  • Strauss I, Berger A, Ben Moshe S, et al. Double Anterior Stereotactic Cingulotomy for Intractable Oncological Pain. Stereotact Funct Neurosurg. 2017;95(6):400-408. doi:10.1159/000484613 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29316566/
  • Treister R, Honigman L, Berger A, et al. Temporal Summation Predicts De Novo Contralateral Pain After Cordotomy in Patients With Refractory Cancer Pain. Neurosurgery. 2022;90(1):59-65. doi:10.1227/NEU.0000000000001734 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34982871/
  • Shofty B, Bergman L, Berger A, et al. Adopting MR-guided stereotactic laser ablations for epileptic lesions: initial clinical experience and lessons learned. Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2021;163(10):2797-2803. doi:10.1007/s00701-021-04903 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34269876/
  • Dabhi N, Pikis S, Mantziaris G, et al. Stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of hypoglossal schwannoma: a multi-institutional retrospective study. Acta Neurochir (Wien). Published online March 26, 2022. doi:10.1007/s00701-022-05187-w https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35347448/
  • Berger A, Bernstein K, Alzate JD, et al. Significant survival improvements for patients with melanoma brain metastases: can we reach cure in the current era? J Neurooncol. Published online June 4, 2022. doi:10.1007/s11060-022-04036-1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35665462/
  • Levy BR, Berger A, Kondziolka D. Diplopia outcomes following stereotactic radiosurgery for petroclival or cavernous sinus meningiomas: patient series. J Neurosurg Case Lessons. 2022;3(25):CASE225. doi:10.3171/CASE225 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9210270/
  • Berger A, Tzarfati GG, Serafimova M, et al. Clinical and prognostic implications of rim restriction following glioma surgery. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):12874. doi:10.1038/s41598-022 16717-y https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-16717-y#
  • Berger A, Alzate JD, Bernstein K, et al. Modern Hearing Preservation Outcomes After Vestibular Schwannoma Stereotactic Radiosurgery. Neurosurgery. Published online August 18, 2022. doi:10.1227/neu.0000000000002090 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10553130/
  • Alzate JD, Berger A, Bernstein K, et al. Preoperative flow analysis of arteriovenous malformations and obliteration response after stereotactic radiosurgery. J Neurosurg. Published online September 2, 2022:1-11. doi:10.3171/2022.7.JNS221008 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36057117/
  • Jalon I, Berger A, Shofty B, et al. Lesions to both somatic and affective pain pathways lead to decreased salience network connectivity. Brain. Published online October 31, 2022:awac403. doi:10.1093/brain/awac403 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36314058/
  • Berger A. Book Review: Recent Advances and Controversies in Gamma Knife Neurosurgery. Neurosurgery. Published online November 21, 2022. doi:10.1227/neu.0000000000002258
  • Berger A, Tzarfati GG, Serafimova M, et al. Risk factors and prognostic implications of surgeryrelated strokes following resection of high-grade glioma. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):22594. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-27127-5. https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/citation/2023/02000/book_review__recent_advances_and_controversies_in.29.aspx
  • Berger A, Mullen R, Bernstein K, et al. Extended Survival in Patients With Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer–Associated Brain Metastases in the Modern Era. Neurosurgery. Published online May 17, 2022:10.1227/neu.0000000000002372. doi:10.1227/neu.0000000000002372 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36722962/
  • Ironside N, Chen CJ, Xu Z, et al. Effects of Neuroanatomic Structural Distances on Pituitary Function After Stereotactic Radiosurgery: A Multicenter Study. Neurosurgery. Published online May 17, 2022:10.1227/neu.0000000000002347. doi:10.1227/neu.0000000000002347https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/abstract/2023/05000/effects_of_neuroanatomic_structural_distances_on.17.aspx
  • Berger A, Lee MD, Lotan E, Block KT, Fatterpekar G, Kondziolka D. Distinguishing Brain Metastasis Progression From Radiation Effects After Stereotactic Radiosurgery Using Longitudinal GRASP Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI. Neurosurgery. 2023;92(3):497-506. doi:10.1227/neu.0000000000002228 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36700674/
  • Alzate JD, Mashiach E, Berger A, et al. Low-Dose Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases in the Era of Modern Systemic Therapy. Neurosurgery. Published online June 16, 2023. doi:10.1227/neu.0000000000002556 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37326435/
  • Berger A, Choudhry OJ, Kondziolka D. Augmented Reality-Assisted Percutaneous Rhizotomy for Trigeminal Neuralgia. Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown). 2023;24(6):665-669. doi:10.1227/ons.0000000000000661 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36815787/
  • Alzate JD, Mullen R, Mashiach E, et al. EGFR-mutated non-small lung cancer brain metastases and radiosurgery outcomes with a focus on leptomeningeal disease. J Neurooncol. 2023;164(2):387-396. doi:10.1007/s11060-023-04442-z https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37691032/
  • Berger A, Mullen R, Bernstein K, et al. Volumetric growth rate of incidentally found meningiomas on immunotherapy. J Neurooncol. Published online January 9, 2024. doi:10.1007/s11060-023-04558-2 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38194196/
  • Berger A, Chung J, Schnurman Z, et al. Comparison of Dentatorubrothalamic Tractography Methods Based on the Anatomy of the Rubral Wing. Operative Neurosurgery. Published online May 11, 2022:10.1227/ons.0000000000001058. doi:10.1227/ons.0000000000001058 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38289086/
  • Lai PMR, Mullin JP, Berger A, Moreland DB, Levy EI. Neurosurgical Training Requires Embracing Ambulatory Surgery Centers. Neurosurgery. Published online May 17, 2022:10.1227/neu.0000000000002936. doi:10.1227/neu.0000000000002936 https://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/fulltext/9900/neurosurgical_training_requires_embracing.1112.aspx
  • Mashiach E, Alzate JD, Schnurman Z, et al. Pushing the Boundaries: Long-Term Survival from Brain Metastases and the Path Ahead. World Neurosurg. 2024;186:282-283. doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2024.03.081 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38521224/

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