About

Benjamin D. Greenberg is a Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior with a comprehensive background in neuroscience, neurology, and psychiatry. He holds a BA in Psychology from Amherst College, a PhD in Neurosciences from the University of California, San Diego, and an MD from the University of Miami. His training includes neurology at Columbia University and psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital. His early research involved leading studies in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) at the National Institute of Mental Health, where he served as Chief of Adult OCD Research in the Laboratory of Clinical Science. Since joining Brown Medical School and the OCD Research Group at Butler Hospital in 2000, Dr. Greenberg has focused on developing surgical and noninvasive treatments in neuropsychiatry, including deep brain stimulation and gamma knife ventral capsulotomy for OCD. His work has also extended to studying brain circuitry and mechanisms underlying these conditions. Since 2013, his research has emphasized noninvasive brain stimulation methods such as TMS, transcranial DC, and AC electrical stimulation (tDCS and tACS), targeting chronic pain, PTSD, OCD, and Tourette syndrome. His overarching goal is to develop device-based treatments to improve behavioral therapy responses and reduce suffering in individuals affected by these serious conditions, leveraging collaborative translational research at Brown University and affiliated hospitals.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Pathology
• Pediatrics
• Chemistry
• Crystallography
• Immunology
• Physical therapy
• Surgery
• Psychiatry

Selected publications

• 564. Five-Factor Personality Dimensions in Intractable Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

  Biological Psychiatry · 2026-04-25

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Clinical and radiological outcomes of directed treatment transitions from Gilenya ^® to generic fingolimod

  Multiple Sclerosis Journal · 2026-01-03

  articleOpen access

  Background: Gilenya ® (fingolimod), a sphingosine-1-receptor agonist, is an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). However, increased relapse activity has been observed after transitioning to generic fingolimod despite prior prolonged disease stability. Objective: To quantify the clinical and radiological impact of transitioning from Gilenya ® to generic fingolimod in people with MS (PwMS). Methods: Retrospective data were evaluated from a single tertiary MS care center. Time to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity and clinical relapse was assessed during Gilenya ® and generic fingolimod treatment. Differences in absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and side effects were also measured by treatment group. Results: The cohort included 88 PwMS (71 female; 76 White, mean age when starting Gilenya ® was 39.6 years (standard deviation (SD) = 10.6 years), and mean age when starting generic fingolimod was 46.9 years (SD = 11.2 years)). A shorter time to MRI activity ( p = 0.0026) and time to relapse ( p = 0.0027) was observed during generic fingolimod treatment. The ALC increased by 8.81% after generic fingolimod treatment, relative to Gilenya ® (95% CI = (2.00%, 16.08%), p = 0.01), with an intersubject variability of 1.97%. A 2.45-fold increase in side effects was observed with generic fingolimod relative to Gilenya ® (95% CI = (1.38, 4.36), p = 0.002). Conclusion: Measures of disease stability appear less optimal with generic fingolimod based on serological, clinical, and radiological measures.

  PublisherDOI

• Comparison of Pediatric Demyelinating Diseases using Axonal and Myelin-Sensitive MRI

  American Journal of Neuroradiology · 2026-04-28

  articleSenior author

  BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Demyelinating diseases constitute the most frequent cause of non-traumatic neurological disability in the pediatric population. Conventional MRI, while sensitive to focal white matter injury, lacks specificity to discern between edema, demyelination and axonal loss. This study aimed to employ advanced MRI biomarkers-specifically macromolecular tissue volume (MTV) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI)-derived metrics-to assess myelin integrity (myelin volume fraction, MVF), axonal density (neurite density index, NDI), and the g-ratio in pediatric patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine pediatric patients (MS, n = 15; NMOSD, n = 6; MOGAD, n = 11), including 7 age-matched heathy controls, underwent 3 Tesla MRI as part of a cross-sectional study. Multi-echo gradient echo and multi-shell diffusion sequences were acquired to compute MTV and NODDI metrics. Lesional and normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) were segmented, and imaging metrics (MVF, NDI, and g-ratio) were compared across groups. Correlations between imaging biomarkers and clinical measures were also examined. RESULTS: = 0.04). Within the MS cohort, 25ftW was associated with g-ratio, MVF, and NDI measures for both whole-brain and deep NAWM. CONCLUSION: Advanced MRI biomarkers provide a more nuanced characterization of microstructural alterations in pediatric demyelinating diseases. The distinct imaging profiles-highlighting greater demyelination in MS versus MOGAD and NMOSD-support the utility of these metrics for targeted clinical management and therapeutic stratification. Future longitudinal studies are warranted to further validate their role in monitoring disease progression and treatment response.

  PublisherDOI

• Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Satralizumab in Patients With Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder From the SAkuraMoon Open-Label Extension Study

  Neurology Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation · 2025-10-06 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Novel Semi-Quantitative High Sensitivity ELISA for Detecting Anti-NMDA Receptor Autoantibodies in Serum and CSF (P1-8.013)

  Neurology · 2025-04-07 · 1 citations

  articleSenior author

  To establish semi-quantitative high sensitivity ELISA for detecting anti-NMDA receptor (NMDAR) autoantibodies (autoAbs) from patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis (ANRE).

  PublisherDOI

• Gaps and discordance in assessment of PIRA identified between HCPs and people with MS: Results of international surveys

  Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders · 2025-08-19 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  OBJECTIVES: Progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) is a major contributor to long-term disability accumulation in multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aimed to explore the assessment of PIRA in clinical practice from the perspectives of people living with MS (pwMS) and healthcare providers (HCPs). METHODS: Cross-sectional surveys were conducted among 310 pwMS and 360 HCPs involved in MS care across seven countries in North America and Europe. RESULTS: HCPs proved to be more motor-focused, primarily through neurological examination and EDSS (75 %), whereas pwMS reported fatigue as the domain most affected (67 %), which was the least assessed domain by HCPs (31 %). 54-61 % of pwMS indicated that the thoroughness, average time spent, and frequency of PIRA assessment had remained the same since diagnosis. As reported by HCPs, roughly 40 % of PIRA assessment remained the same in pwMS with even moderate-severe disability, likely due to time constraints, considered the most limiting factor to measuring PIRA, as well as the lack of a comprehensive, standardized approach and sensitive tools to measure disability as reported by HCPs accurately. CONCLUSION: MS care necessitates a standardized and time-sensitive approach for assessing disability in the absence of relapse, to optimize care and enhance routine disability assessment and monitoring.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• SARS-CoV-2 vaccine failure rates and predictors of immune response in a diverse immunocompromised patient population

  Vaccine · 2025-07-15 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: Determining individual responses to vaccination is critical for effective prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in populations at risk of vaccine failure. METHODS: In this prospective study, we collected serum specimens prior to the first and post-second and -third vaccinations to examine the quantity, quality, and durability of immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients receiving various immune-modulating therapies. To determine rates of vaccine failure, we measured SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike protein immunoglobulin G and neutralisation titres. FINDINGS: We analysed post-vaccination serum samples from 293 potentially immunocompromised patients (10·2 % haematologic malignancies, 56·0 % solid tumours, 27·6 % neuroimmunological conditions, and 6·1 % other). Based on IgG titres, 22·4 % and 12·0 % of cases were deemed vaccine failures by serology within 6 months of the second and third COVID-19 vaccinations, respectively; these rates were 32·7 % and 13·9 %, respectively, based on neutralisation. Notably, 12·2 % of samples did not have functional neutralising antibodies despite positive serology (mismatched result) within 6 months of the second COVID-19 vaccine dose. The highest rate of vaccine failure occurred in patients receiving active B-cell depleting therapies (primarily haematological malignancies or neuroimmunological conditions); those receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy or immune checkpoint inhibitors (predominantly patients with solid tumours) were at the lowest risk for vaccine failure. INTERPRETATION: Among patients receiving potentially immunosuppressive therapies, individuals treated with B-cell depletion therapies have high risk for vaccine failure after COVID-19 vaccination, but the rate of failure declines significantly with subsequent doses. In these populations, positive serology tests alone may not signify a protective immune response. FUNDING: Supported by a grant from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and P54 CA260560.

  PublisherDOI

• First-in-human high dose AAV9 intrathecal gene therapy for paediatric CLN7 disease: a phase 1, open-label, single ascending dose, non-randomised clinical trial

  EBioMedicine · 2025-11-27

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses type 7 (CLN7) is a paediatric lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations of the MFSD8 gene. Affected children have normal early development, but then suffer from progressive cognitive, motor, verbal, and visual decline. Ataxia and myoclonic epilepsy are predominant features of the condition, and there are no effective therapies. Death usually occurs by approximately age 11 years. While adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) based gene therapy holds promise for treating monogenetic neurologic disorders, the impact of this intervention is limited by the maximum safe tolerable dose and the host immune response to the capsid and gene product. This study sought to confirm the safety of high dose intrathecal AAV-based gene therapy under a comprehensive immunosuppression regimen. METHODS: This was a two-year open label, dose escalation, phase 1 first-in-human study of AAV9-based intrathecal gene therapy for CLN7. 4 participants (1 low dose, 3 high dose) were followed at regular intervals with blood work, CSF analysis, EEG, MRI, and measures of neurologic and neuropsychological function. FINDINGS: This study provided evidence of safety for high dose intrathecal AAV9 based gene therapy in CLN7 disease under a specific immunosuppression regimen. Additionally, this study provides preliminary evidence of efficacy for this gene therapy. INTERPRETATION: High dose intrathecal AAV based gene therapy can be pursued with adequate immunosuppression and monitoring for immune responses to the gene product. Additional long-term monitoring of the immune system during tapering of immunosuppression is needed to identify potential reactions to the gene product. FUNDING: This study was funded by The Batten's Hope Foundation, Mila's Miracle Foundation, Children's Health Dallas and Philanthropic Gifts to UT Southwestern. In addition, Emily R. Nettesheim received funding from NIH training grant 5T32GM131945-03 and Hamza Dahshi was supported in part by NIH award T32 GM152319.

  PublisherDOI

• Autoimmune Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Astrocytopathy Associated With Rhabdomyolysis: A Case Report

  Pediatric Neurology · 2025-01-21 · 1 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Switch from intravenous anti-CD20 therapy to subcutaneous ofatumumab in patients with relapsing MS: results from the OLIKOS study

  Journal of Neurology · 2025-10-24

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition, and as such, switching therapies is not uncommon. However, data on switching from intravenous (IV) to subcutaneous (SC) formulations of anti-CD20 therapies are lacking. METHODS: OLIKOS, a phase 3b, prospective, single-arm, multicenter study conducted from 2020 to 2024, evaluated the efficacy and safety of switching to SC ofatumumab from IV ocrelizumab or rituximab in adults with relapsing MS. Participants were excluded if they had discontinued anti-CD20 therapy due to suboptimal response or safety concerns. Maintenance of efficacy was defined as either no change or a reduction from baseline in the number of gadolinium-enhancing (Gd +) T1 lesions observed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after 12 months of ofatumumab. RESULTS: The full analysis set included 102 participants. Most participants (99%) switched from IV ocrelizumab to SC ofatumumab. Zero Gd+ T1 lesions were observed at Month 12 in participants with evaluable MRI assessments (n = 84), satisfying the primary endpoint. New/enlarging T2 lesions were observed in 2.3% (2/86) of participants at Month 12. There was no change in median Expanded Disability Status Scale score between baseline and Month 12, and annualized relapse rate remained low (0.075). Treatment satisfaction improved from baseline to Month 12 across all domains with the largest increases in the Convenience domain. Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred at similar frequencies as in ofatumumab phase 3 trials, and no new safety signals were identified. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate efficacy and safety are maintained following a switch from IV anti-CD20 to SC ofatumumab with improved treatment satisfaction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04486716 https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04486716.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• NIH Grant R01HL063909

  NIH · $1.1M · 2005

Frequent coauthors

• Bruce Cree

  Johns Hopkins University

  206 shared

• Bernhard Hemmer

  Klinikum rechts der Isar

  201 shared

• Brian J. Ward

  Medicago (Canada)

  195 shared

• Emmanuelle Waubant

  Massachusetts General Hospital

  142 shared

• Joseph R. Berger

  University of Pennsylvania

  141 shared

• Mark Gorman

  140 shared

• Ajay Kilaru

  Novartis (Switzerland)

  130 shared

• Roseanne Sullivan

  Novartis (Switzerland)

  130 shared

Education

• B.A., Psychology

  Amherst College

• Ph.D., Neurosciences

  University of California, San Diego

• M.D.

  University of Miami

• Other, Neurology

  Columbia University

• Other, Psychiatry

  Johns Hopkins Hospital