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Helene Benveniste, MD, PhD

Professor of Anesthesiology

Contact Information

Helene Benveniste, MD, PhD

Office Location

Mailing Address

  • Anesthesiology

    PO Box 208051

    New Haven, CT 06520-8051

    United States

Research Summary

Currently, Dr. Benveniste's research program has several areas of focus. Foremost, she and her students, post-docs, and close scientific collaborators are interested in understanding how the brain gets rid of metabolic waste products via the ‘glymphatic system’ (GS). Benveniste is engaged in preclinical MRI studies to understand how the brain’s waste removal pathways are affected in cerebral amyloid angiopathy, AD and small vessel disease; in collaboration with MR colleagues from the MRRC. For example, she has developed imaging platforms to examine how cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulates in the brain and explored how several critical processes (e.g. vascular pulsatility, type of anesthesia, body position) impact waste removal across the adult lifespan. Furthermore, she has identified substantial differences in waste processing via CSF transport when the brain is exposed to lighter sedation versus deeper anesthetic states and is currently examining the sources of these differences. Second, Benveniste and her colleague Dr. Hedok Lee (MR physicist) are interested in understanding how defects in the waste clearing processes may be contributing to development of cognitive decline and dementia. To that end, they have conducted (and are in the process of conducting) preclinical experiments in transgenic rodent models of small vessel disease (vascular dementia) as well as Alzheimer’s disease. In recent studies they have discovered that the waste clearing processes appear to become defect before brain tissue loss is evident potentially reflecting the importance of the GS system as a therapeutic target in maintaining brain health across the lifespan. In addition, Benveniste has active clinical research interests in addiction to substances of abuse and is actively involved conducting several collaborative studies with colleagues at NIAAA and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.

Coauthors

Research Interests

Anesthesia; Brain; Central Nervous System; Cerebrospinal Fluid

Selected Publications

  • Abstract WMP110: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C Confers Neuroprotection And Ameliorates Ischemic Stroke OutcomesSimoes Braga Boisserand L, Lee S, Bouchart J, Medeiros Geraldo L, Sanganahalli B, Eichmann A, Sansing L, Benveniste H, Hyder F, Thomas J. Abstract WMP110: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C Confers Neuroprotection And Ameliorates Ischemic Stroke Outcomes Stroke 2023, 54: awmp110-awmp110. DOI: 10.1161/str.54.suppl_1.wmp110.
  • Glymphatic SystemBenveniste H, Nedergaard M. Glymphatic System 2022, 2271-2288. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-88832-9_138.
  • Publisher Correction: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is associated with glymphatic transport reduction and time-delayed solute drainage along the neck arteriesChen X, Liu X, Koundal S, Elkin R, Zhu X, Monte B, Xu F, Dai F, Pedram M, Lee H, Kipnis J, Tannenbaum A, Van Nostrand W, Benveniste H. Publisher Correction: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy is associated with glymphatic transport reduction and time-delayed solute drainage along the neck arteries Nature Aging 2022, 2: 454-454. DOI: 10.1038/s43587-022-00223-x.
  • Transgenic rat models for cerebral amyloid angiopathy type‐1 and ‐2 and related vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID)Van Nostrand W, Xu F, Lee H, Robinson J, Benveniste H. Transgenic rat models for cerebral amyloid angiopathy type‐1 and ‐2 and related vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) Alzheimer's & Dementia 2021, 17 DOI: 10.1002/alz.051368.
  • Glymphatic SystemBenveniste H, Nedergaard M. Glymphatic System 2016, 1945-1962. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3474-4_138.
  • P.1.i.012 Regional brain volumes, diffusivity, and metabolite changes after electroconvulsive therapy for severe depressionJørgensen A, Magnusson P, Hanson L, Kirkegaard T, Benveniste H, Lee H, Svarer C, Mikkelsen J, Fink-Jensen A, Knudsen G, Paulson O, Bolwig T, Jørgensen M. P.1.i.012 Regional brain volumes, diffusivity, and metabolite changes after electroconvulsive therapy for severe depression European Neuropsychopharmacology 2016, 26: s304-s305. DOI: 10.1016/s0924-977x(16)31208-1.
  • The glymphatic systemBenveniste H, Nedergaard M. The glymphatic system Neurology Psychiatry And Brain Research 2016, 22: 2. DOI: 10.1016/j.npbr.2015.12.006.
  • F2‐02‐01: Influence of body posture on brain waste removal by the glymphatic pathwayBenveniste H. F2‐02‐01: Influence of body posture on brain waste removal by the glymphatic pathway Alzheimer's & Dementia 2015, 11: p165-p165. DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2015.07.112.
  • On the flow dynamics of cerebrospinal fluidBechter K, Hof P, Benveniste H. On the flow dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid Neurology Psychiatry And Brain Research 2015, 21: 96-103. DOI: 10.1016/j.npbr.2015.01.001.
  • Glymphatic SystemBenveniste H, Nedergaard M. Glymphatic System 2015, 1-18. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-6434-1_138-1.
  • Brain-wide glymphatic waste drainage characterized by PET-MRIBenveniste H, Budassi M, Smith S, Yu M, Lee H, Nedergaard M, Vaska P. Brain-wide glymphatic waste drainage characterized by PET-MRI Neurology Psychiatry And Brain Research 2014, 20: 4-5. DOI: 10.1016/j.npbr.2014.01.137.
  • Metabolomic Profiling of Children’s Brains Undergoing General Anesthesia With Sevoflurane and PropofolJacob Z, Li H, Makaryus R, Zhang S, Reinsel R, Lee H, Feng T, Rothman D, Benveniste H. Metabolomic Profiling of Children’s Brains Undergoing General Anesthesia With Sevoflurane and Propofol Survey Of Anesthesiology 2013, 57: 139. DOI: 10.1097/01.sa.0000428779.04189.52.
  • Characterization of Patients with Difficult-to-Treat Acute Pain Following Total Knee Arthroplasty Using Multi-Modal AnalgesiaAzim S, Sangster R, Curcio C, Coleman D, Shah U, Zhang S, Reinsel R, Glass P, Nicholson J, Benveniste H. Characterization of Patients with Difficult-to-Treat Acute Pain Following Total Knee Arthroplasty Using Multi-Modal Analgesia The Open Pain Journal 2013, 6: 1-6. DOI: 10.2174/1876386301306010001.
  • Cerebral Metabolomics Of Early Stage Lung Cancer PatientsBilfinger T, Benveniste H, Lee H, Zhang S, Li H, Reinsel R, Conrad J, Campolo S. Cerebral Metabolomics Of Early Stage Lung Cancer Patients 2011, a6104-a6104. DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2011.183.1_meetingabstracts.a6104.
  • Simultaneous acquisition of MRI and PET cardiac cine 3D images at 9.4 TeslaSmith S, Maramraju S, Southekal S, Ravindranath B, Krishnamoorthy S, Purschke M, Junnarkar S, Rescia S, Schulz D, Woody C, Stoll S, Vaska P, Carrion J, Schlyer D, Benveniste H. Simultaneous acquisition of MRI and PET cardiac cine 3D images at 9.4 Tesla Journal Of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2010, 12: o59. DOI: 10.1186/1532-429x-12-s1-o59.
  • DETECTION OF Ca2+-DEPENDENT NEURONAL ACTIVITY SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH DYNAMIC CHANGES IN CEREBRAL BLOOD VOLUME AND TISSUE OXYGENATION FROM THE LIVE RAT BRAINDU C, LUO Z, YU M, BENVENISTE H, TULLY M, PAN R, CHANCE B. DETECTION OF Ca2+-DEPENDENT NEURONAL ACTIVITY SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH DYNAMIC CHANGES IN CEREBRAL BLOOD VOLUME AND TISSUE OXYGENATION FROM THE LIVE RAT BRAIN Journal Of Innovative Optical Health Sciences 2009, 2: 189-200. DOI: 10.1142/s1793545809000498.
  • 228 Functional cardiac phenotyping of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) deficient mice by MR microsopySmith S, Szema A, Said S, Benveniste H. 228 Functional cardiac phenotyping of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) deficient mice by MR microsopy Journal Of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2008, 10: a89. DOI: 10.1186/1532-429x-10-s1-a89.
  • P2‐002: Detection of amyloid plaques by diffraction enhanced imaging in a mouse model of Alzheimer's diseaseConnor D, Benveniste H, Dilmanian A, Miller L, Kritzer M, Zhong Z. P2‐002: Detection of amyloid plaques by diffraction enhanced imaging in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's & Dementia 2008, 4: t366-t366. DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2008.05.1082.
  • IC‐P3‐175: Detection of amyloid plaques by diffraction enhanced imaging in a mouse model of Alzheimer's diseaseConnor D, Benveniste H, Dilmanian A, Miller L, Kritzer M, Zhong Z. IC‐P3‐175: Detection of amyloid plaques by diffraction enhanced imaging in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's & Dementia 2008, 4: t77-t77. DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2008.05.119.
  • Detection of Ca2+- Dependent Neuronal Activity Simultaneously With Dynamic Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow, Blood Volume and Oxygenation in Somatosensory Cortex of the Live Rat BrainDu C, Luo Z, Yu M, Benveniste H. Detection of Ca2+- Dependent Neuronal Activity Simultaneously With Dynamic Changes in Cerebral Blood Flow, Blood Volume and Oxygenation in Somatosensory Cortex of the Live Rat Brain 2008, btue3. DOI: 10.1364/biomed.2008.btue3.
  • Hyperdynamic pulsatile flow and ventricular dilation in experimental communicating hydrocephalusWagshul M, Li J, Benveniste H, Egnor M, Haacke E, Rashid S, Shen Y, Walker M, Yu M, McAllister J. Hyperdynamic pulsatile flow and ventricular dilation in experimental communicating hydrocephalus Fluids And Barriers Of The CNS 2007, 4: s22. DOI: 10.1186/1743-8454-4-s1-s22.
  • Development of Ventricular Expansion and Increased Pulsatile CSF Flow in a Rat ModelRashid S, Wagshul M, Yu M, Benveniste H, Li J, McAllister J. Development of Ventricular Expansion and Increased Pulsatile CSF Flow in a Rat Model 2007, 96-97. DOI: 10.1109/nebc.2007.4413296.
  • Laser Doppler Speckle Contrast Imaging of Cerebral Blood Flow during Functional Activation in Rat Somatosensory CortexLuo Z, Benveniste H, Yu M, Pan Y, Du C. Laser Doppler Speckle Contrast Imaging of Cerebral Blood Flow during Functional Activation in Rat Somatosensory Cortex 2007, 69-70. DOI: 10.1109/nebc.2007.4413283.
  • High Resolution 3D in Vivo Mouse Brain Imaging at 9.4 T Bruker MRI SystemHamilton C, Ma Y, Smith S, Benveniste H. High Resolution 3D in Vivo Mouse Brain Imaging at 9.4 T Bruker MRI System 2007, 45-46. DOI: 10.1109/nebc.2007.4413272.
  • Cocaine-Induced Cerebral Hemodynamic and Neuronal Function Changes in Vivo Measured by Laser Doppler FlowmetryTully M, Luo Z, Benveniste H, Yu M, Du C. Cocaine-Induced Cerebral Hemodynamic and Neuronal Function Changes in Vivo Measured by Laser Doppler Flowmetry 2007, 156-158. DOI: 10.1109/nebc.2007.4413326.
  • Local Cerebral Blood Flow Responses to Direct Stimulation in Somatosensory Cortex: Laser Doppler Flowmetric and Autoradiographic AnalysisLuo Z, Dhawan J, Benveniste H, Yu M, Gifford A, Du C. Local Cerebral Blood Flow Responses to Direct Stimulation in Somatosensory Cortex: Laser Doppler Flowmetric and Autoradiographic Analysis 2006, me17. DOI: 10.1364/bio.2006.me17.
  • Optical Approach to Detect Vascular Functional Changes Induced by Cocaine in Living Rat BrainDu C, Luo Z, Yu M, Benveniste H. Optical Approach to Detect Vascular Functional Changes Induced by Cocaine in Living Rat Brain 2006, tui5. DOI: 10.1364/bio.2006.tui5.
  • Microscopic Fluorescence Studies on Brain Intracellular Ca2+ Responses to Ischemia with and without Ca2+- Channel BlockadeDu C, Wolf A, Perez Y, Yu M, Pan Y, Benveniste H. Microscopic Fluorescence Studies on Brain Intracellular Ca2+ Responses to Ischemia with and without Ca2+- Channel Blockade 2006, tui62. DOI: 10.1364/bio.2006.tui62.
  • Activation-Blood Flow Coupling During Direct Somatosensory Cortical Stimulation in Living Rat BrainLuo Z, Benveniste H, Yu M, Du C. Activation-Blood Flow Coupling During Direct Somatosensory Cortical Stimulation in Living Rat Brain 2005, 664-666. DOI: 10.1109/cne.2005.1419712.
  • A new fluorometric and optical approach for tracking of intracellular calcium, blood volume and oxygenation changes in the rat brain in vivoDu C, Izrailtyan I, Benveniste H. A new fluorometric and optical approach for tracking of intracellular calcium, blood volume and oxygenation changes in the rat brain in vivo 2004, fc6. DOI: 10.1364/bio.2004.fc6.
  • Anatomical Studies in the Rodent Brain and Spinal CordBenveniste H, Mareci T, Blackband S. Anatomical Studies in the Rodent Brain and Spinal Cord 2002, 232-256. DOI: 10.1201/9781420042153.ch7.
  • High Resolution MR Microimaging of Neuronal Tissue at 17.6 TGrant S, Benveniste H, Blackband S. High Resolution MR Microimaging of Neuronal Tissue at 17.6 T 2002, 2: 1209-1210. DOI: 10.1109/iembs.2002.1106352.
  • Progress in high field MRI at the University of FloridaBeck B, Plant D, Grant S, Thelwall P, Silver X, Mareci T, Benveniste H, Smith M, Collins C, Crozier S, Blackband S. Progress in high field MRI at the University of Florida Magnetic Resonance Materials In Physics, Biology And Medicine 2002, 13: 152-157. DOI: 10.1016/s1352-8661(01)00140-5.
  • Reply to Dr. Koscielniak-NielsenKlein S, Benveniste H. Reply to Dr. Koscielniak-Nielsen Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine 2000, 25: 104. DOI: 10.1097/00115550-200001000-00022.
  • Reply to Dr. Koscielniak-NielsenKlein S, Benveniste H. Reply to Dr. Koscielniak-Nielsen Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine 2000, 25: 104. DOI: 10.1016/s1098-7339(00)80023-1.
  • In Vivo Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Microscopy of Rat Spinal CordBenveniste H, Qui H, Hedlund L, Hüttemeier P, Steele S, Johnson A. In Vivo Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Microscopy of Rat Spinal Cord Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine 1999, 24: 311-318. DOI: 10.1097/00115550-199924040-00006.
  • Three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging of thoracic and lumbar paravertebral space in human cadaversMacLeod D, Martin G, D'Ercole F, Richardson W, Benveniste H. Three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging of thoracic and lumbar paravertebral space in human cadavers Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine 1999, 24: 13. DOI: 10.1016/s1098-7339(99)90190-6.
  • THREE-DIMENSIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THORACIC AND LUMBAR PARAVERTEBRAL SPACE IN HUMAN CADAVERSMacLeod D, Martin G, D'Ercole F, Richardson W, Benveniste H. THREE-DIMENSIONAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THORACIC AND LUMBAR PARAVERTEBRAL SPACE IN HUMAN CADAVERS Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine 1999, 24: 13. DOI: 10.1097/00115550-199924031-00013.
  • Anxiety, vocalization, and agitation following peripheral nerve block with ropivacaineKlein S, Benveniste H. Anxiety, vocalization, and agitation following peripheral nerve block with ropivacaine Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine 1999, 24: 175-178. DOI: 10.1016/s1098-7339(99)90081-0.
  • Spinal cord neural anatomy in rats examined by In Vivo magnetic resonance microscopyBenveniste H, Qui H, Hedlund L, D'Ercole F, Johnson G. Spinal cord neural anatomy in rats examined by In Vivo magnetic resonance microscopy Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine 1998, 23: 589-599. DOI: 10.1016/s1098-7339(98)90087-6.
  • High Performance Teams in the Operating RoomD'Ercole F, Hardman D, Benveniste H, Speer K, Gleason D, Greengrass R, Steele S, Klein S. High Performance Teams in the Operating Room Anesthesiology 1998, 89: 1346a. DOI: 10.1097/00000542-199809220-00018.
  • A teaching model for resident training in regional anesthesiaD'Ercole F, Bergh A, Klein S, Lineberger C, Greengrass R, Benveniste H, Steele S. A teaching model for resident training in regional anesthesia Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine 1998, 23: 112. DOI: 10.1097/00115550-199823031-00112.
  • In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Rat Spinal Cord and Peripheral NervesBenveniste H, Hüttemeier P, Kim K, D'Ercole F, Steele S. In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Rat Spinal Cord and Peripheral Nerves Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine 1998, 23: 97. DOI: 10.1097/00115550-199823031-00097.
  • Magnetic Resonance Microscopy of Alzheimer's disease: Senile Plaques - A whiter shade of pale?Benveniste H, Einstein G, Kim K, Johnson G. Magnetic Resonance Microscopy of Alzheimer's disease: Senile Plaques - A whiter shade of pale? NeuroImage 1998, 7: s519. DOI: 10.1016/s1053-8119(18)31352-1.
  • EXTRACELLULAR DOPAMINE AND GABA CONCENTRATIONS IN THE NIGRASTRIATAL SYSTEM AND THALAMUS OF RATS UNDER PROPOFOL ANESTHESIAShiraishi M, Kamiyama Y, Okamoto S, Huttemeier P, Benveniste H. EXTRACELLULAR DOPAMINE AND GABA CONCENTRATIONS IN THE NIGRASTRIATAL SYSTEM AND THALAMUS OF RATS UNDER PROPOFOL ANESTHESIA Anesthesia & Analgesia 1998, 86: 502s.. DOI: 10.1097/00000539-199802001-00500.
  • Ischemia as an Excitotoxic Lesion: Protection Against Hippocampal Nerve Cell Loss by DenervationDiemer N, Johansen F, Benveniste H, Bruhn T, Berg M, Valente E, Jørgensen M. Ischemia as an Excitotoxic Lesion: Protection Against Hippocampal Nerve Cell Loss by Denervation 1993, 94-101. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-7091-9266-5_14.
  • EFFECTS OF DANTROLENE ON HISTOLOGICAL OUTCOME IN RAT CAL HIPPOCAMPUS AFTER GLOBAL TRANSIENT CEREBRAL ISCHEMIAKAMIYAMA Y, SHIRAISHI M, BENVENISTE H, WATKINS W, HüTTEMEIER P. EFFECTS OF DANTROLENE ON HISTOLOGICAL OUTCOME IN RAT CAL HIPPOCAMPUS AFTER GLOBAL TRANSIENT CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA Anesthesiology 1992, 77: a781. DOI: 10.1097/00000542-199209001-00781.
  • Chapter 4 Practical aspects of using microdialysis for determination of brain interstitial concentrationsBenveniste H, Hansen A. Chapter 4 Practical aspects of using microdialysis for determination of brain interstitial concentrations 1991, 7: 81-100. DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-81194-3.50009-5.
  • A715 Microdialysis measurements of arachidonic acid metabolites in rat CA1 hippocampus during transient cerebral ischemiaBenveniste H, Huttemeier P, Brothers M, Watkins W. A715 Microdialysis measurements of arachidonic acid metabolites in rat CA1 hippocampus during transient cerebral ischemia Anesthesiology 1990, 73: na. DOI: 10.1097/00000542-199009001-00713.
  • MR Diffusion Measurements In Stroke Models In Rat BrainsMacFall J, Benveniste H, Maki J, Johnson G, Hedlund L, Copher G. MR Diffusion Measurements In Stroke Models In Rat Brains 1990, 67-68. DOI: 10.1109/iembs.1990.690951.
  • Calcium 45 Accumulation in the Dentate Hilus: Possible Effect of NMDA Receptor BlockersBenveniste H, Hüttemeier P, Johansen F, Diemer N. Calcium 45 Accumulation in the Dentate Hilus: Possible Effect of NMDA Receptor Blockers 1989, 266-273. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-85863-5_34.
  • Magnesium Inhibits Ischemia Induced Calcium Accumulation in Hilar Neurones: Possible Effect of Nmda-ReceptorBenveniste H, Diemer N. Magnesium Inhibits Ischemia Induced Calcium Accumulation in Hilar Neurones: Possible Effect of Nmda-Receptor 1988, 35: 377-377. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4684-5562-5_40.