SUMMARY
Benjamin H. Brinkmann, Ph.D., is associate professor of neurology and a clinical support scientist for the Division of Epilepsy at Mayo Clinic. This unique role as an engineer embedded in a clinical practice area allows him to help patients and informs the focus of his research. His research efforts are directed toward developing seizure detection and prediction capabilities using noninvasive and minimally invasive biosensors, and improving the accuracy of pre-surgical seizure evaluation using novel methods for image and neurophysiology analysis.
Dr. Brinkmann has developed and implemented enterprisewide analytics supporting pre-surgical epilepsy evaluation and systems for statistical processing of ictal single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) images. He has also used and applied methods to verify stereotactic electroencephalogram (EEG) electrode placement for patients with epilepsy.
Dr. Brinkmann collaborates with the Bioelectronics Neurophysiology and Engineering Lab at Mayo Clinic.
Focus areas
- Noninvasive wearable devices for seizure detection and forecasting
- Machine-based learning and signal-processing methods for seizure forecasting using ambulatory intracranial EEG with applications to neuroimaging studies to identify abnormal and potentially epileptogenic brain regions
- Detection, analysis and mapping of high-frequency oscillations from chronic and intraoperative intracranial EEG recordings
- Ictal SPECT image processing and analysis in seizure localization
- Voxel-based morphometric analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for localization of structural abnormalities in epilepsy
- Volumetric functional and structural image analysis
Significance to patient care
The goal of Dr. Brinkmann's research is to go beyond predicting the probable occurrence of a seizure to the actual delivery of therapy to prevent the seizure. These next-generation epilepsy management and therapy platforms will have an inestimable impact on the quality of life of patients with epilepsy. Prevention of seizures will allow patients to pursue normal activities of everyday life, such as driving. More importantly, it will counteract the comorbidities of epilepsy such as depression, impaired cognition and sleep disturbances.
Professional highlights
- Voting member, Working Group (WG)-32: Neurophysiology Data, Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine, January 2020-current
- President and CEO, 3D Medical Imaging, Inc., Byron, Minnesota, 2006-2015