American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (Child and Adolescent Neurology)
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (Clinical Neurophysiology)
Professional History
Alexander Rotenberg is a neurologist and epileptologist, and Director of the Neuromoduation Program within the Department of Neurology. He is the recipient of the 2016 Dreifuss-Penry Epilepsy Award from the American Academy of Neurology. He is also the 2015-2016 president of the Greater Boston Epilepsy Society. Dr. Rotenberg leads local efforts to adapt methods for transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and other forms of noninvasive brain stimulation to the pediatric population, particularly to children with epilepsy. He also heads a basic science laboratory where experiments focus on translational applications of noninvasive brain stimulation in animal models of epilepsy and traumatic brain injury. Among his ongoing scientific studies are clinical trials aimed to test the capacity of TMS and related methods for brain stimulation to stop drug-resistant seizures, clinical studies of human brain plasticity in autism, and preclinical studies aimed to describe the neurobiology of a range of brain stimulation methods in order to improve their efficacy in clinical practice.
Approach to Care
I remind my patients and their families that a physician is responsible not just for prescribing treatment, but for interpreting the medical science associated with the patient’s condition and with the treatment choice – these should be no more a mystery to my patients than to me. I spend my professional days in medicine and science so that I can share both with my patients.
Publications
Lower respiratory rate during sleep in children with angelman syndrome compared to age-matched controls. View Abstract
Clinical trials of prevention of acquired epilepsy: New proof-of-concept approach to restart trials. View Abstract
Sex differences in seizure presentation in a Dravet syndrome mouse model. View Abstract
Phenotypic rescue via mTOR inhibition in neuron-specific Pten knockout mice reveals AKT and mTORC1-site specific changes. View Abstract
The neuropsychological profile of SSADH deficiency, a neurotransmitter disorder of GABA metabolism. View Abstract
Alpha-Delta Ratio for Detection of Cerebral Injury and Stroke in Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation. View Abstract
Enhancement of Glutamate Uptake as Novel Antiseizure Approach: Preclinical Proof of Concept. View Abstract
The role of parvalbumin interneuron dysfunction across neurodegenerative dementias. View Abstract
A comparison of the antiepileptogenic efficacy of two rationally chosen multitargeted drug combinations in a rat model of posttraumatic epilepsy. View Abstract
Transient Ipsilateral Hemineglect Following Brain Laser Ablation in Patient with Focal Cortical Dysplasia. View Abstract
Case report: Tremor in the placebo condition of a blinded clinical trial of intermittent theta-burst stimulation for cocaine use disorder. View Abstract
Zebrafish models of candidate human epilepsy-associated genes provide evidence of hyperexcitability. View Abstract
Clinical and molecular outcomes from the 5-Year natural history study of SSADH Deficiency, a model metabolic neurodevelopmental disorder. View Abstract
Gene replacement therapies for inherited disorders of neurotransmission: Current progress in succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency. View Abstract
Consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency. View Abstract
Zebrafish models of candidate human epilepsy-associated genes provide evidence of hyperexcitability. View Abstract
Background EEG Suppression Ratio for Early Detection of Cerebral Injury in Pediatric Cardiac Arrest. View Abstract
Glymphatic dysfunction coincides with lower GABA levels and sleep disturbances in succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency. View Abstract
Deep Learning-Based Visual Complexity Analysis of Electroencephalography Time-Frequency Images: Can It Localize the Epileptogenic Zone in the Brain? View Abstract
Phenotypic correlates of structural and functional protein impairments resultant from ALDH5A1 variants. View Abstract
Prevalence of suicidality in children and adolescents with depressive disorders with and without epilepsy. View Abstract
Shortened Motor Evoked Potential Latency in the Epileptic Hemisphere of Children With Focal Epilepsy. View Abstract
Sleep Spindle Generation Before and After Epilepsy Surgery: A Source Imaging Study in Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy. View Abstract
Seizure reduction in TSC2-mutant mouse model by an mTOR catalytic inhibitor. View Abstract
Enabling endpoint development for interventional clinical trials in individuals with Angelman syndrome: a prospective, longitudinal, observational clinical study (FREESIAS). View Abstract
Depressed glutamate transporter 1 expression in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome. View Abstract
Phenotypic Correlates of Structural and Functional Protein Impairments Resultant from ALDH5A1 Variants. View Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder and GABA levels in children with succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency. View Abstract
The presence and severity of epilepsy coincide with reduced ?-aminobutyrate and cortical excitatory markers in succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency. View Abstract
N-acetylcysteine treatment mitigates loss of cortical parvalbumin-positive interneuron and perineuronal net integrity resulting from persistent oxidative stress in a rat TBI model. View Abstract
New Therapeutic Approaches to Inherited Metabolic Pediatric Epilepsies. View Abstract
Preclinical pharmacokinetics and tolerability of a novel meglumine-based parenteral solution of topiramate and topiramate combinations for treatment of status epilepticus. View Abstract
Systemic inflammation as a biomarker of seizure propensity and a target for treatment to reduce seizure propensity. View Abstract
Assessing the mechanisms of brain plasticity by transcranial magnetic stimulation. View Abstract
Interictal Connectivity Revealed by Granger Analysis of Stereoelectroencephalography: Association With Ictal Onset Zone, Resection, and Outcome. View Abstract
Discrepant expressive language lateralization in children and adolescents with epilepsy. View Abstract
Identifying biomarkers for epilepsy after cerebral malaria in Zambian children: rationale and design of a prospective observational study. View Abstract
Language Mapping using tEEG and EEG Data with Convolutional Neural Networks. View Abstract
Preliminary Report of the Safety and Tolerability of 1 Hz Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. View Abstract
Single-stage resection of bottom-of-a-sulcus dysplasia involving eloquent cortex using navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation and intraoperative modalities. View Abstract
Mosaic and non-mosaic protocadherin 19 mutation leads to neuronal hyperexcitability in zebrafish. View Abstract
Automated detection of absence seizures using a wearable electroencephalographic device: a phase 3 validation study and feasibility of automated behavioral testing. View Abstract
Understanding the Molecular Mechanisms of Succinic Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase Deficiency (SSADHD): Towards the Development of SSADH-Targeted Medicine. View Abstract
Biomarkers Obtained by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. View Abstract
Neuronal Loss of the Glutamate Transporter GLT-1 Promotes Excitotoxic Injury in the Hippocampus. View Abstract
Early Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Exerts Neuroprotective Effects and Improves Motor Functions in Hemiparkinsonian Rats. View Abstract
Quantitative Electroencephalography for Early Detection of Elevated Intracranial Pressure in Critically Ill Children: Case Series and Proposed Protocol. View Abstract
A "Proof of Concept" Randomized Controlled Trial of a Video Game Requiring Emotional Regulation to Augment Anger Control Training. View Abstract
Clinical trial strategies for rare neurodevelopmental disorders: challenges and opportunities. View Abstract
Clinical Characterization of Epilepsy in Children With Angelman Syndrome. View Abstract
Personalised, image-guided, noninvasive brain stimulation in gliomas: Rationale, challenges and opportunities. View Abstract
Factors influencing the acute pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure paradigm and a literature review. View Abstract
Cis P-tau underlies vascular contribution to cognitive impairment and dementia and can be effectively targeted by immunotherapy in mice. View Abstract
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Succinic Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase Deficiency: A Measure of Maturational Trajectory of Cortical Excitability. View Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation as a translational biomarker for AMPA receptor modulation. View Abstract
Personalized, Multisession, Multichannel Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Medication-Refractory Focal Epilepsy: An Open-Label Study. View Abstract
Modulation of motor cortical excitability by continuous theta-burst stimulation in adults with autism spectrum disorder. View Abstract
Enzyme Replacement Therapy for Succinic Semialdehyde Dehydrogenase Deficiency: Relevance in ?-Aminobutyric Acid Plasticity. View Abstract
A pathogenic UFSP2 variant in an autosomal recessive form of pediatric neurodevelopmental anomalies and epilepsy. View Abstract
In-session seizures during transcranial direct current stimulation in patients with epilepsy. View Abstract
EEG markers predictive of epilepsy risk in pediatric cerebral malaria - A feasibility study. View Abstract
Increase in Seizure Susceptibility After Repetitive Concussion Results from Oxidative Stress, Parvalbumin-Positive Interneuron Dysfunction and Biphasic Increases in Glutamate/GABA Ratio. View Abstract
Safety and recommendations for TMS use in healthy subjects and patient populations, with updates on training, ethical and regulatory issues: Expert Guidelines. View Abstract
Drug-Responsive Inhomogeneous Cortical Modulation by Direct Current Stimulation. View Abstract
Review of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Epilepsy. View Abstract
Targeting Gamma-Related Pathophysiology in Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Transcranial Electrical Stimulation: Opportunities and Challenges. View Abstract
Localized Disruption of Blood Albumin-Phenytoin Binding Using Transcranial Focused Ultrasound. View Abstract
Continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation in Children With High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Children. View Abstract
Emerging Applications of Noninvasive Brain Stimulation. View Abstract
Noninvasive Brain Stimulation in Epilepsy. View Abstract
Safety and Tolerability of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation During Pregnancy: A Case Report and Literature Review. View Abstract
Cortical Excitability, Synaptic Plasticity, and Cognition in Benign Epilepsy With Centrotemporal Spikes: A Pilot TMS-EMG-EEG Study. View Abstract
Repurposed molecules for antiepileptogenesis: Missing an opportunity to prevent epilepsy? View Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation tracks subminute changes in cortical excitability during propofol anesthesia. View Abstract
Early transcranial direct current stimulation treatment exerts neuroprotective effects on 6-OHDA-induced Parkinsonism in rats. View Abstract
Patterns of anti-seizure medication (ASM) use in pediatric patients with surgically managed epilepsy: A retrospective review of data from Boston Children's Hospital. View Abstract
Safety of rTMS in patients with intracranial metallic objects. View Abstract
Neuromodulatory Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Motor Excitability in Rats. View Abstract
Ceftriaxone Treatment Preserves Cortical Inhibitory Interneuron Function via Transient Salvage of GLT-1 in a Rat Traumatic Brain Injury Model. View Abstract
Biomarkers Obtained by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Motor Cortex in Epilepsy. View Abstract
Regulation of lifespan by neural excitation and REST. View Abstract
Maturation of Corticospinal Tracts in Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy Assessed by Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. View Abstract
Test-Retest Reliability of the Effects of Continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation. View Abstract
Recurrent SLC1A2 variants cause epilepsy via a dominant negative mechanism. View Abstract
De Novo Pathogenic Variants in CACNA1E Cause Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy with Contractures, Macrocephaly, and Dyskinesias. View Abstract
Electrophysiological Phenotype in Angelman Syndrome Differs Between Genotypes. View Abstract
Electrographic spikes are common in wildtype mice. View Abstract
De Novo Pathogenic Variants in CACNA1E Cause Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy with Contractures, Macrocephaly, and Dyskinesias. View Abstract
Dietary, immunological, surgical, and other emerging treatments for pediatric refractory status epilepticus. View Abstract
Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency, a disorder of GABA metabolism: an update on pharmacological and enzyme-replacement therapeutic strategies. View Abstract
A mouse model of DEPDC5-related epilepsy: Neuronal loss of Depdc5 causes dysplastic and ectopic neurons, increased mTOR signaling, and seizure susceptibility. View Abstract
The Need for Antiepileptic Drug Chronotherapy to Treat Selected Childhood Epilepsy Syndromes and Avert the Harmful Consequences of Drug Resistance. View Abstract
mGluR5 Modulation of Behavioral and Epileptic Phenotypes in a Mouse Model of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. View Abstract
Trajectory of Parvalbumin Cell Impairment and Loss of Cortical Inhibition in Traumatic Brain Injury. View Abstract
Alterations in the Timing of Huperzine A Cerebral Pharmacodynamics in the Acute Traumatic Brain Injury Setting. View Abstract
A randomized controlled trial of levodopa in patients with Angelman syndrome. View Abstract
Interindividual variability in response to continuous theta-burst stimulation in healthy adults. View Abstract
Persistent uncrossed corticospinal connections in patients with intractable focal epilepsy. View Abstract
Correction: Relationship of mechanical impact magnitude to neurologic dysfunction severity in a rat traumatic brain injury model. View Abstract
Response to letter to the editor: Safety of transcranial direct current stimulation: Evidence based update 2016. View Abstract
Replicable in vivo physiological and behavioral phenotypes of the Shank3B null mutant mouse model of autism. View Abstract
Relationship of mechanical impact magnitude to neurologic dysfunction severity in a rat traumatic brain injury model. View Abstract
Memantine improves outcomes after repetitive traumatic brain injury. View Abstract
Surface EEG-Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Closed-Loop System. View Abstract
The Number of Pulses Needed to Measure Corticospinal Excitability by Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: Eyes Open vs. Close Condition. View Abstract
Transcranial Magnetic and Direct Current Stimulation in Children. View Abstract
Huperzine A: A promising anticonvulsant, disease modifying, and memory enhancing treatment option in Alzheimer's disease. View Abstract
Neurophysiological evidence of preserved connectivity in tuber tissue. View Abstract
Characterizing and Modulating Brain Circuitry through Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Electroencephalography. View Abstract
Pediatric Neuromodulation Comes of Age. View Abstract
Bursts of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), together with lorazepam, suppress seizures in a rat kainate status epilepticus model. View Abstract
Abnormal Mechanisms of Plasticity and Metaplasticity in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Fragile X Syndrome. View Abstract
Huperzine A as a neuroprotective and antiepileptic drug: a review of preclinical research. View Abstract
H-coil repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy: A case report. View Abstract
Safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with epilepsy: A systematic review. View Abstract
N100 Repetition Suppression Indexes Neuroplastic Defects in Clinical High Risk and Psychotic Youth. View Abstract
Noninvasive Brain Stimulation in Pediatric Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Review. View Abstract
Early auditory processing evoked potentials (N100) show a continuum of blunting from clinical high risk to psychosis in a pediatric sample. View Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation in autism spectrum disorder: Challenges, promise, and roadmap for future research. View Abstract
Neurophysiological differences between patients clinically at high risk for schizophrenia and neurotypical controls--first steps in development of a biomarker. View Abstract
Huperzine A prophylaxis against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in rats is associated with increased cortical inhibition. View Abstract
Antibody against early driver of neurodegeneration cis P-tau blocks brain injury and tauopathy. View Abstract
Acute seizure suppression by transcranial direct current stimulation in rats. View Abstract
Commentary on IL-1ß associations with posttraumatic epilepsy development: A genetics and biomarker cohort study. View Abstract
Glutamate and GABA imbalance following traumatic brain injury. View Abstract
Seizure-like activity in a juvenile Angelman syndrome mouse model is attenuated by reducing Arc expression. View Abstract
Conditional deletion of the glutamate transporter GLT-1 reveals that astrocytic GLT-1 protects against fatal epilepsy while neuronal GLT-1 contributes significantly to glutamate uptake into synaptosomes. View Abstract
Use of transcranial magnetic stimulation in autism spectrum disorders. View Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy for autism: an international consensus conference held in conjunction with the international meeting for autism research on May 13th and 14th, 2014. View Abstract
15years of welcome contribution to epilepsy research. View Abstract
Passive fMRI mapping of language function for pediatric epilepsy surgical planning: validation using Wada, ECS, and FMAER. View Abstract
Hippocampal immediate early gene transcription in the rat fluid percussion traumatic brain injury model. View Abstract
Modulation of corticospinal excitability by transcranial magnetic stimulation in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. View Abstract
Safety and retention rate of rufinamide in 300 patients: a single pediatric epilepsy center experience. View Abstract
EEG abnormalities and seizures in genetically diagnosed Fragile X syndrome. View Abstract
Comparison of pediatric patients with status epilepticus lasting 5-29 min versus =30 min. View Abstract
Comparison of risk factors for pediatric convulsive status epilepticus when defined as seizures = 5 min versus seizures = 30 min. View Abstract
Corticosteroid therapy in regressive autism: a retrospective study of effects on the Frequency Modulated Auditory Evoked Response (FMAER), language, and behavior. View Abstract
A rapid lateral fluid percussion injury rodent model of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic epilepsy. View Abstract
Suppression of motor cortical excitability in anesthetized rats by low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. View Abstract
Rasmussen's encephalitis presenting as focal cortical dysplasia. View Abstract
A measure of acoustic noise generated from transcranial magnetic stimulation coils. View Abstract
Functional Dopaminergic Neurons in Substantia Nigra are Required for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation-Induced Motor Plasticity. View Abstract
Clobazam: effect on frequency of seizures and safety profile in different subgroups of children with epilepsy. View Abstract
Outcomes of vagal nerve stimulation in a pediatric population: a single center experience. View Abstract
Long-term response to high-dose diazepam treatment in continuous spikes and waves during sleep. View Abstract
Continuous Spikes and Waves during Sleep: Electroclinical Presentation and Suggestions for Management. View Abstract
Ceftriaxone treatment after traumatic brain injury restores expression of the glutamate transporter, GLT-1, reduces regional gliosis, and reduces post-traumatic seizures in the rat. View Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation for refractory focal status epilepticus in the intensive care unit. View Abstract
Electroencephalography in the pediatric emergency department: when is it most useful? View Abstract
Bumetanide enhances phenobarbital efficacy in a rat model of hypoxic neonatal seizures. View Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation for treatment of refractory childhood focal epilepsy. View Abstract
"RAGE-Control": A Game to Build Emotional Strength. View Abstract
The frequency modulated auditory evoked response (FMAER), a technical advance for study of childhood language disorders: cortical source localization and selected case studies. View Abstract
Migraine prophylaxis by anodal transcranial direct current stimulation, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. View Abstract
Translational neuromodulation: approximating human transcranial magnetic stimulation protocols in rats. View Abstract
Circadian patterns of generalized tonic-clonic evolutions in pediatric epilepsy patients. View Abstract
Clinical staging and electroencephalographic evolution of continuous spikes and waves during sleep. View Abstract
Short-term response of sleep-potentiated spiking to high-dose diazepam in electric status epilepticus during sleep. View Abstract
Early thalamic lesions in patients with sleep-potentiated epileptiform activity. View Abstract
Patients with electrical status epilepticus in sleep share similar clinical features regardless of their focal or generalized sleep potentiation of epileptiform activity. View Abstract
Contribution of axonal orientation to pathway-dependent modulation of excitatory transmission by direct current stimulation in isolated rat hippocampus. View Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation induces current pulses in transcranial direct current stimulation electrodes. View Abstract
Minimal heating of aneurysm clips during repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. View Abstract
A new measure of cortical inhibition by mechanomyography and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation in unanesthetized rats. View Abstract
[The use of noninvasive brain stimulation in childhood psychiatric disorders: new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities and challenges]. View Abstract
Characterizing brain cortical plasticity and network dynamics across the age-span in health and disease with TMS-EEG and TMS-fMRI. View Abstract
Safety and tolerability of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with pathologic positive sensory phenomena: a review of literature. View Abstract
Commentary on Kratz et Al "seizure in a nonpredisposed individual induced by single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation". View Abstract
Experience with lacosamide in a series of children with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. View Abstract
Teaching Video NeuroImages: complex partial seizure evolving into a psychogenic nonepileptic seizure. View Abstract
Transcranial brain stimulation: clinical applications and future directions. View Abstract
Clinical research with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS): challenges and future directions. View Abstract
Development of later life spontaneous seizures in a rodent model of hypoxia-induced neonatal seizures. View Abstract
Rufinamide for the treatment of epileptic spasms. View Abstract
An estimate of placebo effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in epilepsy. View Abstract
Measures of cortical inhibition by paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation in anesthetized rats. View Abstract
Teaching Video NeuroImages: complex partial seizure evolving into a psychogenic nonepileptic seizure. View Abstract
Experience with rufinamide in a pediatric population: a single center's experience. View Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation provides means to assess cortical plasticity and excitability in humans with fragile x syndrome and autism spectrum disorder. View Abstract
Trisomy 8 mosaicism and favorable outcome after treatment of infantile spasms: case report. View Abstract
High-dose intravenous levetiracetam for acute seizure exacerbation in children with intractable epilepsy. View Abstract
Prospects for clinical applications of transcranial magnetic stimulation and real-time EEG in epilepsy. View Abstract
Lateralization of forelimb motor evoked potentials by transcranial magnetic stimulation in rats. View Abstract
In-session seizures during low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with epilepsy. View Abstract
Safety of 1 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with titanium skull plates. View Abstract
Seizure suppression by EEG-guided repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the rat. View Abstract
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in the treatment of epilepsia partialis continua. View Abstract
Transient suppression of seizures by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in a case of Rasmussen's encephalitis. View Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation in child neurology: current and future directions. View Abstract
Minimal heating of titanium skull plates during 1Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. View Abstract
A mouse model of tuberous sclerosis: neuronal loss of Tsc1 causes dysplastic and ectopic neurons, reduced myelination, seizure activity, and limited survival. View Abstract
Safety and tolerability of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with epilepsy: a review of the literature. View Abstract
Electroencephalographic recording during transcranial magnetic stimulation in humans and animals. View Abstract
Seizure-induced changes in place cell physiology: relationship to spatial memory. View Abstract
Parallel instabilities of long-term potentiation, place cells, and learning caused by decreased protein kinase A activity. View Abstract
Variable place-cell coupling to a continuously viewed stimulus: evidence that the hippocampus acts as a perceptual system. View Abstract
Mice expressing activated CaMKII lack low frequency LTP and do not form stable place cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. View Abstract