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Sean P.
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Sean P. Polster, M.D.

Co-Director, Stroke Center
Director, Skull Base & Neurovascular Laboratory
Safadi Faculty Scholar
Schedule: (773) 702-2123

About Dr. Polster

Dr. Polster was among the first to demonstrate that the gut microbiome directly influences the formation of cerebrovascular lesions in humans — a paradigm-shifting discovery published in Nature Communications (2020) that established the first diagnostic microbiome signature for any neurovascular disease (92% sensitivity). He directs the Gut-Brain Axis Laboratory at UChicago, funded by the NIH and the American College of Surgeons, investigating how gut barrier disruption drives stroke, brain injury, and neurodegeneration. Clinically, he trained in cerebrovascular and skull base surgery at the University of Pittsburgh and performs both open microsurgical and advanced endoscopic procedures. He has a 4.9/5 patient rating on UChicago Medicine.

Education & Training

  • M.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Residency, Neurosurgery, University of Chicago
  • Fellowship, Skull Base & Cerebrovascular, Univ. of Pittsburgh

Funding & Recognition

  • NIH NINDS K12 Career Development Award
  • American College of Surgeons Research Grant
  • Safadi Faculty Scholar
  • 4.9/5 patient rating (56 reviews)

Selected Publications

Polster SP, et al. Permissive microbiome characterizes human subjects with a neurovascular disease cavernous angioma. Nature Communications. 2020. PMID: 32461638

Areas of Expertise

Cerebrovascular Surgery Cavernous Malformations Skull Base Tumors Aneurysms Stroke Gut-Brain Axis Research

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