A California university medical school neurosurgeon at the center of a scandal over experiments on dying brain cancer patients has taken a leave of absence.

The University of California, Davis, says Dr. J. Paul Muizelaar was taking his leave effective Thursday.

The Sacramento Bee says a statement from medical center chief Anne Madden Rice adds the leave will continue pending a review of four new malpractice claims involving Muizelaar.

The university last year banned Muizelaar and Dr. Rudolph J. Schrot from any research involving human subjects.

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Joint Commission, which accredits hospitals, are investigating.

The university was warned last month that serious deficiencies were uncovered and the hospital's Medicare funding was in jeopardy unless it comes into full compliance.