Carl Saab Laboratory

Research

Overview

We seek to define 'dynamic traffic patterns' between brain networks underlying sensory experiences in health and disease. Our research team uses electrophysiological, optogenetic and computational techniques to identify objective biosignatures of pain across species, and aims to translate basic science discoveries into healthcare solutions in collaboration with clinicians, industry partners and business leaders.

In NIH-funded, multi-PI collaborations with Brown University and Case Western Research University, we're building pre-clinical technologies and platforms that will lead to new insights into neural networks giving rise to sensory perception of somatic pain and ocular pain, potentially  guiding future effective therapies for debilitating chronic pain.

Our research program is guided by the scientific premise that investigating the behavior of neural circuits in the brain is critical for understanding the basis of chronic disorders including pain, sleep, epilepsy and mental health. Our main goal is to elucidate and map these circuits with unprecedented cellular specificity and temporal precision, using multidisciplinary research tools such as optogenetic, self-report behavioral paradigms, and high-density (>200 units) neural recordings in vivo across the spine-brain continuum. Basic science discoveries are translated to biomedical applications and validated in patients in collaboration with healthcare partners and colleagues from IBM Research using non-invasive brain imaging (EEG) and machine learning approaches (AI) including quantum computing.

Media

1. Nature Pain biomarkers and AI (2 interview) https://www.nature.com/collections/gecdidggie.
2. BBC Future How An Objective Measure of Pain Could Counter Bias In Medicine, by Naomi Elster Apr 16, 2023.
3. Migraine Science collaborative Body and Mind, Emotion and Suffering, Consciousness and More: Pain Never Comes in a Pure Form – A Chat with Carl Saab, By Kayt Sukel, Oct 6, 2022.
4. Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research News New Method for Diagnosing Pain Combines EEG and Artificial Intelligence, Dec 10, 2020.
5. Wall Street Journal A New Prognosis for Pain Care Innovative ways to measure, understand and treat pain are allowing doctors to ease patients’ suffering—without relying on dangerous drugs By Laura Landro Feb. 6, 2019.
6. Scientific American Taking the Bias out of Pain Diagnosis: Objective measures of pain could help alleviate inequitable medical treatment. by Jess Sevetson Jul 16, 2019.

Selected Publications

View publications for Carl Saab, PhD, MS, MA (hon)
(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

(Since 2020; follow link for up-to-date publications https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=saab+cy&sort=date)

1. Blankenberg Daniel, Saab Carl Y. How quantum computing can enhance biomarker discovery. Patterns (N Y). 2025. 40575130.
2. Araujo Matheus Lima Diniz, Ghosn Samer, Saab Carl, Mathur Piyush. Status and opportunities of machine learning applications in obstructive sleep apnea: A narrative review. Comput Struct Biotechnol J. 2025. 40421411.
3. Araujo Matheus Lima Diniz, Heinzinger Catherine M, Ghosn Samer, Saab Carl Y, Schaefer Nancy Foldvary. A Foundation Model for Sleep-Based Risk Stratification and Clinical Outcomes. Res Sq. 2025. 40297683.
4. Jeong Ki-Soo, Rogness Victoria, Saab Carl Y. Spinal cord stimulation using time-dynamic pulses achieves longer reversal of allodynia compared to tonic pulses in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Front Pain Res (Lausanne). 2025. 40270935.
5. Khan Shujaa T, Huffman Nick, Li Xiaojuan, Sharma Anukriti, Winalski Carl S, Ricchetti Eric T, Derwin Kathleen, Apte Suneel S, Rotroff Daniel, Saab Carl Y, Piuzzi Nicolas S. Pain Assessment in Osteoarthritis: Present Practices and Future Prospects Including the Use of Biomarkers and Wearable Technologies, and AI-Driven Personalized Medicine. J Orthop Res. 2025. 40205648.
6. Lima Diniz Araujo Matheus, Ghosn Samer, Saab Carl, Mathur Piyush. Status and Opportunities of Machine Learning Applications in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Narrative Review. medRxiv. 2025. 40061337.
7. Bie Bihua, Ghosn Samer, Sheikh Shehryar R, Araujo Matheus Lima Diniz, Mays MaryAnn, Saab Carl Y. Electroencephalographic signatures of migraine in small prospective and large retrospective cohorts. Sci Rep. 2024. 39562659.
8. Djordjevic Charles, Saab Carl Y. Beyond pain privacy and pain meters: a new vision for pain biomarkers. Front Pain Res (Lausanne). 2024. 39420982.
9. Sheikh Shehryar R, McKee Zachary A, Ghosn Samer, Jeong Ki-Soo, Kattan Michael, Burgess Richard C, Jehi Lara, Saab Carl Y. Machine learning algorithm for predicting seizure control after temporal lobe resection using peri-ictal electroencephalography. Sci Rep. 2024. 39294238.
10. Saab Carl Y. Toward a brighter constellation: multiorgan neuroimaging of neural and vascular dynamics in the spinal cord and brain. Neurophotonics. 2024. 38725801.
11. Saab Carl. Towards a Brighter Constellation: Multi-Organ Neuroimaging of Neural and Vascular Dynamics in the Spinal Cord and Brain. bioRxiv. 2023. 38234789.
12. Araujo Matheus, Ghosn Samer, Wang Lu, Hariadi Nengah, Wells Samantha, Saab Carl Y, Mehra Reena. Author Correction: Machine learning polysomnographically-derived electroencephalography biomarkers predictive of epworth sleepiness scale. Sci Rep. 2023. 37391550.
13. Araujo Matheus, Ghosn Samer, Wang Lu, Hariadi Nengah, Wells Samantha, Saab Carl Y, Mehra Reena. Machine learning polysomnographically-derived electroencephalography biomarkers predictive of epworth sleepiness scale. Sci Rep. 2023. 37277423.
14. Leung Jason, Ghosn Samer, Lapin Brittany, Punia Vineet, Nair Dileep, Kaniecki Ann Marie, Edhi Muhammad, Saab Carl Y. SARS-CoV-2 alters neural synchronies in the brain with more severe effects in younger individuals. Sci Rep. 2023. 36807586.
15. Edhi MM, Heijmans L, Vanent KN, Bloye K, Baanante A, Jeong KS, Leung J, Zhu C, Esteller R, Saab Carl Y. Time-dynamic pulse modulation of spinal cord stimulation reduces mechanical hypersensitivity and spontaneous pain in rats. Sci Rep. 2020. 33230202.

(Since 2020; follow link for up-to-date publications https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=saab+cy&sort=date)

1. Blankenberg Daniel, Saab Carl Y. How quantum computing can enhance biomarker discovery. Patterns (N Y). 2025. 40575130.
2. Araujo Matheus Lima Diniz, Ghosn Samer, Saab Carl, Mathur Piyush. Status and opportunities of machine learning applications in obstructive sleep apnea: A narrative review. Comput Struct Biotechnol J. 2025. 40421411.
3. Araujo Matheus Lima Diniz, Heinzinger Catherine M, Ghosn Samer, Saab Carl Y, Schaefer Nancy Foldvary. A Foundation Model for Sleep-Based Risk Stratification and Clinical Outcomes. Res Sq. 2025. 40297683.
4. Jeong Ki-Soo, Rogness Victoria, Saab Carl Y. Spinal cord stimulation using time-dynamic pulses achieves longer reversal of allodynia compared to tonic pulses in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Front Pain Res (Lausanne). 2025. 40270935.
5. Khan Shujaa T, Huffman Nick, Li Xiaojuan, Sharma Anukriti, Winalski Carl S, Ricchetti Eric T, Derwin Kathleen, Apte Suneel S, Rotroff Daniel, Saab Carl Y, Piuzzi Nicolas S. Pain Assessment in Osteoarthritis: Present Practices and Future Prospects Including the Use of Biomarkers and Wearable Technologies, and AI-Driven Personalized Medicine. J Orthop Res. 2025. 40205648.
6. Lima Diniz Araujo Matheus, Ghosn Samer, Saab Carl, Mathur Piyush. Status and Opportunities of Machine Learning Applications in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Narrative Review. medRxiv. 2025. 40061337.
7. Bie Bihua, Ghosn Samer, Sheikh Shehryar R, Araujo Matheus Lima Diniz, Mays MaryAnn, Saab Carl Y. Electroencephalographic signatures of migraine in small prospective and large retrospective cohorts. Sci Rep. 2024. 39562659.
8. Djordjevic Charles, Saab Carl Y. Beyond pain privacy and pain meters: a new vision for pain biomarkers. Front Pain Res (Lausanne). 2024. 39420982.
9. Sheikh Shehryar R, McKee Zachary A, Ghosn Samer, Jeong Ki-Soo, Kattan Michael, Burgess Richard C, Jehi Lara, Saab Carl Y. Machine learning algorithm for predicting seizure control after temporal lobe resection using peri-ictal electroencephalography. Sci Rep. 2024. 39294238.
10. Saab Carl Y. Toward a brighter constellation: multiorgan neuroimaging of neural and vascular dynamics in the spinal cord and brain. Neurophotonics. 2024. 38725801.
11. Saab Carl. Towards a Brighter Constellation: Multi-Organ Neuroimaging of Neural and Vascular Dynamics in the Spinal Cord and Brain. bioRxiv. 2023. 38234789.
12. Araujo Matheus, Ghosn Samer, Wang Lu, Hariadi Nengah, Wells Samantha, Saab Carl Y, Mehra Reena. Author Correction: Machine learning polysomnographically-derived electroencephalography biomarkers predictive of epworth sleepiness scale. Sci Rep. 2023. 37391550.
13. Araujo Matheus, Ghosn Samer, Wang Lu, Hariadi Nengah, Wells Samantha, Saab Carl Y, Mehra Reena. Machine learning polysomnographically-derived electroencephalography biomarkers predictive of epworth sleepiness scale. Sci Rep. 2023. 37277423.
14. Leung Jason, Ghosn Samer, Lapin Brittany, Punia Vineet, Nair Dileep, Kaniecki Ann Marie, Edhi Muhammad, Saab Carl Y. SARS-CoV-2 alters neural synchronies in the brain with more severe effects in younger individuals. Sci Rep. 2023. 36807586.
15. Edhi MM, Heijmans L, Vanent KN, Bloye K, Baanante A, Jeong KS, Leung J, Zhu C, Esteller R, Saab Carl Y. Time-dynamic pulse modulation of spinal cord stimulation reduces mechanical hypersensitivity and spontaneous pain in rats. Sci Rep. 2020. 33230202.