Current Environment: Production

Medical Services

Programs & Services

Languages

  • English

Education

Undergraduate School

Colorado State University

2002, Fort Collins, CO

Medical School

University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

2006, Denver, CO

Internship

Pediatrics

Massachusetts General Hospital for Children

2008, Boston, MA

Residency

Pediatric Neurology

Boston Children's Hospital

2011, Boston, MA

Fellowship

Boston Children's Hospital, Partners Adult MS Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Partners

Pediatric MS Center at Massachusetts General Hospital

2013, Boston, MA

Certifications

  • American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (Child and Adolescent Neurology)

Media

Caregiver Profile

Meet Dr. Leslie Benson

Publications

  1. Childhood adversity in parents of patients with pediatric multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2025 Jun; 98:106424. View Abstract

  2. Limited early IVIG for the treatment of pediatric myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2025 May; 97:106345. View Abstract

  3. Association Between Sun Exposure and Risk of Relapse in Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2025 Mar; 12(2):e200375. View Abstract

  4. Study of the Association Between Menarche and Disease Course in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis. Neurology. 2025 Feb 25; 104(4):e210213. View Abstract

  5. Distinct plasma lipids predict axonal injury and multiple sclerosis activity. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2025 Jan 16; 96(2):150-157. View Abstract

  6. Predictors of a relapsing course in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2024 Dec 16; 96(1):68-75. View Abstract

  7. Epidemiology and Impact of Social Hardships in Children With Multiple Sclerosis in the United States. Neurology. 2024 Dec 10; 103(11):e209991. View Abstract

  8. Patient and family views on research priorities and design of clinical trials and research studies in pediatric multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2024 Oct; 30(11-12):1525-1543. View Abstract

  9. Early Adversity and Socioeconomic Factors in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis: A Case-Control Study. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2024 Sep; 11(5):e200282. View Abstract

  10. Association of nutritional intake with clinical and imaging activity in pediatric multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2024 Jul; 30(8):1056-1065. View Abstract

  11. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging outcomes in pediatric-onset MS patients on fingolimod and ocrelizumab. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2024 Jul; 87:105647. View Abstract

  12. Gene-environment interactions: Epstein-Barr virus infection and risk of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2024 Mar; 30(3):308-315. View Abstract

  13. Gene-environment interactions and risk of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis associated with time spent outdoors. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2024 Feb; 82:105351. View Abstract

  14. Short-chain fatty acid producers in the gut are associated with pediatric multiple sclerosis onset. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2024 01; 11(1):169-184. View Abstract

  15. Characteristics and predictors of disease course in children initially presenting with ADEM. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2023 Oct 15; 80:105075. View Abstract

  16. Disease modifying treatment for pediatric onset multiple sclerosis: Ethical considerations and strategies to navigate parental refusal. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2023 11; 79:104970. View Abstract

  17. Rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation (ROHHAD): a collaborative review of the current understanding. Clin Auton Res. 2023 06; 33(3):251-268. View Abstract

  18. Demographic Features and Clinical Course of Patients With Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis on Newer Disease-Modifying Treatments. Pediatr Neurol. 2023 Aug; 145:125-131. View Abstract

  19. Characteristics of pediatric patients with multiple sclerosis and related disorders infected with SARS-CoV-2. Mult Scler. 2023 04; 29(4-5):576-584. View Abstract

  20. Silent findings: Examination of asymptomatic demyelination in a pediatric US cohort. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2023 Mar; 71:104573. View Abstract

  21. Gene-environment interactions increase the risk of paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis associated with household chemical exposures. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2023 07; 94(7):518-525. View Abstract

  22. Therapeutic Response in Pediatric Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder. Neurology. 2023 02 28; 100(9):e985-e994. View Abstract

  23. MOG and AQP4 Antibodies among Children with Multiple Sclerosis and Controls. Ann Neurol. 2023 02; 93(2):271-284. View Abstract

  24. A new look at cognitive functioning in pediatric MS. Mult Scler. 2023 01; 29(1):140-149. View Abstract

  25. Challenges in the Clinical Recognition of Acute Flaccid Myelitis and its Implications. J Pediatr. 2023 02; 253:55-62.e4. View Abstract

  26. Evaluation of white matter microstructure in pediatric onset multiple sclerosis with diffusion compartment imaging. J Neuroimaging. 2022 11; 32(6):1098-1108. View Abstract

  27. An Evidence-Based Guideline Improves Outcomes for Patients With Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis and Macrophage Activation Syndrome. J Rheumatol. 2022 Sep; 49(9):1042-1051. View Abstract

  28. ZSCAN1 Autoantibodies Are Associated with Pediatric Paraneoplastic ROHHAD. Ann Neurol. 2022 08; 92(2):279-291. View Abstract

  29. Gene-environment interactions increase the risk of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis associated with ozone pollution. Mult Scler. 2022 08; 28(9):1330-1339. View Abstract

  30. Association Between Time Spent Outdoors and Risk of Multiple Sclerosis. Neurology. 2022 01 18; 98(3):e267-e278. View Abstract

  31. Interocular Difference in Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Predicts Optic Neuritis in Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis. J Neuroophthalmol. 2021 12 01; 41(4):469-475. View Abstract

  32. Child Neurology: Recurrent Brainstem Strokes and Aphthous Ulcers in a Child With Mutations in the ADA2 Gene. Neurology. 2021 Oct 04; 97(14):696-699. View Abstract

  33. Author Correction: Pan-viral serology implicates enteroviruses in acute flaccid myelitis. Nat Med. 2021 Oct; 27(10):1849. View Abstract

  34. Gut microbiome is associated with multiple sclerosis activity in children. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2021 09; 8(9):1867-1883. View Abstract

  35. Familial History of Autoimmune Disorders Among Patients With Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2021 09; 8(5). View Abstract

  36. Utilization of Visual Acuity Retroilluminated Charts for the Assessment of Afferent Visual System Dysfunction in a Pediatric Neuroimmunology Population. J Neuroophthalmol. 2021 03 01; 41(1):19-23. View Abstract

  37. Acute flaccid myelitis: cause, diagnosis, and management. Lancet. 2021 01 23; 397(10271):334-346. View Abstract

  38. Acute Flaccid Myelitis: A Call for Vigilance and an Update on Management. Pediatr Neurol. 2021 01; 114:26-28. View Abstract

  39. Improved relapse recovery in paediatric compared to adult multiple sclerosis. Brain. 2020 09 01; 143(9):2733-2741. View Abstract

  40. Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score in a large US cohort. Neurology. 2020 09 29; 95(13):e1844-e1853. View Abstract

  41. Real-World Effectiveness of Initial Disease-Modifying Therapies in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis. Ann Neurol. 2020 07; 88(1):42-55. View Abstract

  42. Cognitive processing speed in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis: Baseline characteristics of impairment and prediction of decline. Mult Scler. 2020 12; 26(14):1938-1947. View Abstract

  43. Pan-viral serology implicates enteroviruses in acute flaccid myelitis. Nat Med. 2019 11; 25(11):1748-1752. View Abstract

  44. Unmet Needs in the Evaluation, Treatment, and Recovery for 167 Children Affected by Acute Flaccid Myelitis Reported by Parents Through Social Media. Pediatr Neurol. 2020 01; 102:20-27. View Abstract

  45. miRNA contributions to pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis inferred from GWAS. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2019 Jun; 6(6):1053-1061. View Abstract

  46. Vitamin D genes influence MS relapses in children. Mult Scler. 2020 07; 26(8):894-901. View Abstract

  47. Pediatric CNS-isolated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2019 05; 6(3):e560. View Abstract

  48. Central nervous system-restricted familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis responds to hematopoietic cell transplantation. Blood Adv. 2019 02 26; 3(4):503-507. View Abstract

  49. Calm in the midst of cytokine storm: a collaborative approach to the diagnosis and treatment of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and macrophage activation syndrome. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2019 Feb 14; 17(1):7. View Abstract

  50. Clinical Subpopulations in a Sample of North American Children Diagnosed With Acute Flaccid Myelitis, 2012-2016. JAMA Pediatr. 2019 02 01; 173(2):134-139. View Abstract

  51. Admixture mapping reveals evidence of differential multiple sclerosis risk by genetic ancestry. PLoS Genet. 2019 01; 15(1):e1007808. View Abstract

  52. Acquisition of Early Developmental Milestones and Need for Special Education Services in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis. J Child Neurol. 2019 03; 34(3):148-152. View Abstract

  53. Magnetic resonance imaging in enterovirus-71, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody, aquaporin-4 antibody, and multiple sclerosis-associated myelitis in children. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2019 09; 61(9):1108-1116. View Abstract

  54. Histopathologic Correlates of Familial Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Isolated to the Central Nervous System. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 2018 12 01; 77(12):1079-1084. View Abstract

  55. Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of fluoxetine as an antiviral for acute flaccid myelitis. Neurology. 2019 04 30; 92(18):e2118-e2126. View Abstract

  56. Use of newer disease-modifying therapies in pediatric multiple sclerosis in the US. Neurology. 2018 11 06; 91(19):e1778-e1787. View Abstract

  57. Several household chemical exposures are associated with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2018 Dec; 5(12):1513-1521. View Abstract

  58. Urban air quality and associations with pediatric multiple sclerosis. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2018 Oct; 5(10):1146-1153. View Abstract

  59. Heterogeneity in association of remote herpesvirus infections and pediatric MS. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2018 Oct; 5(10):1222-1228. View Abstract

  60. Early infectious exposures are not associated with increased risk of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2018 May; 22:103-107. View Abstract

  61. Contribution of dietary intake to relapse rate in early paediatric multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2018 01; 89(1):28-33. View Abstract

  62. Genetic risk factors for pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2018 12; 24(14):1825-1834. View Abstract

  63. Examining the contributions of environmental quality to pediatric multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2017 Nov; 18:164-169. View Abstract

  64. Dietary factors and pediatric multiple sclerosis: A case-control study. Mult Scler. 2018 07; 24(8):1067-1076. View Abstract

  65. Evidence for a causal relationship between low vitamin D, high BMI, and pediatric-onset MS. Neurology. 2017 Apr 25; 88(17):1623-1629. View Abstract

  66. Investigations in GABAA receptor antibody-associated encephalitis. Neurology. 2017 Mar 14; 88(11):1012-1020. View Abstract

  67. Distinct effects of obesity and puberty on risk and age at onset of pediatric MS. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2016 12; 3(12):897-907. View Abstract

  68. Pediatric optic neuritis. Neurology. 2016 Aug 30; 87(9 Suppl 2):S53-8. View Abstract

  69. Characteristics of Children and Adolescents With Multiple Sclerosis. Pediatrics. 2016 07; 138(1). View Abstract

  70. Dietary salt intake and time to relapse in paediatric multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2016 12; 87(12):1350-1353. View Abstract

  71. A case-control study of dietary salt intake in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2016 Mar; 6:87-92. View Abstract

  72. Rituximab monitoring and redosing in pediatric neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2016 Feb; 3(1):e188. View Abstract

  73. Clinical features of neuromyelitis optica in children: US Network of Pediatric MS Centers report. Neurology. 2016 Jan 19; 86(3):245-52. View Abstract

  74. Pain and spinal cord imaging measures in children with demyelinating disease. Neuroimage Clin. 2015; 9:338-47. View Abstract

  75. Radiological differentiation of optic neuritis with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies, aquaporin-4 antibodies, and multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2016 Apr; 22(4):470-82. View Abstract

  76. Reply: To PMID 24907434. Am J Ophthalmol. 2015 Jan; 159(1):211. View Abstract

  77. Evaluation and treatment of autoimmune neurologic disorders in the pediatric intensive care unit. Semin Pediatr Neurol. 2014 Dec; 21(4):284-90. View Abstract

  78. The US Network of Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Centers: Development, Progress, and Next Steps. J Child Neurol. 2015 Sep; 30(10):1381-7. View Abstract

  79. Visual outcomes in pediatric optic neuritis. Am J Ophthalmol. 2014 Sep; 158(3):503-7.e2. View Abstract

  80. Factors associated with recovery from acute optic neuritis in patients with multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 2014 Jun 17; 82(24):2173-9. View Abstract

  81. Overlapping demyelinating syndromes and anti–N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis. Ann Neurol. 2014 Mar; 75(3):411-28. View Abstract

  82. Functional relapses in pediatric multiple sclerosis. J Child Neurol. 2014 Jul; 29(7):943-6. View Abstract

  83. Elevated relapse rates in pediatric compared to adult MS persist for at least 6 years. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2014 Mar; 3(2):186-93. View Abstract

  84. New onset epilepsy in Prader-Willi syndrome: semiology and literature review. Pediatr Neurol. 2010 Oct; 43(4):297-9. View Abstract

  85. Characterization of selected elementary motion detector cells to image primitives. Biomed Sci Instrum. 2008; 44:410-6. View Abstract
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