Dr. Randall Benson of The Center for Neurologic Studies joins The Weekly Check-Up on October 26, 2024.

Dr. Randall Benson is a neurologist and expert in cognitive disorders caused by dementia and traumatic brain injury. The Center for Neurologic Studies (CNS), led by Dr. Benson, treats older (some middle aged) people with mild to moderate stages of cognitive decline caused by neurodegenerative disease, commonly known as dementia — particularly Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Benson is a globally regarded behavioral neurologist and imaging neuroscientist who is recognized for his advances in the diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders. Dr. Benson trained at Boston University and Harvard University where he did dual fellowships in Behavioral Neurology and Advanced MRI. During fellowship at Mass General Hospital, in the 1990s, he pioneered the use of fMRI to map language in neurosurgical patients with tumors and epilepsy. Then, while faculty at Wayne State University in the 2000s, his research, using electrical and magnetic stimulation of the brain in hemiparetic and aphasic stroke, demonstrated proof of concept for the ability to induce neuroplasticity.

More recently, Dr. Benson’s clinical practice and research has focused on more precise diagnosis in head injured patients, leveraging newer functional neuroimaging, neurosensory and pituitary evaluations, culminating in more effective treatments and improved outcomes in patients. Dr. Benson’s research and clinical practice through the Center for Neurologic Studies is strongly focused on disorders of the brain and cognition. Dr. Benson’s commitment to finding novel ways to enhance recovery of function after stroke led to multiple foundation and industry-sponsored investigations into the use of targeted electrical/magnetic stimulation of the brain in motor and language impairment following stroke. Dr. Benson’s research on brain disorders is high impact and cutting edge.