University Hospital Rechts der Isar – Germany
About PD Dr. Benjamin Knier
PD Dr. Benjamin Knier is a Senior Physician (Oberarzt) and Head of the Neuroophthalmology Research Group at the Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), with over 22 years of clinical and research experience. He is an internationally recognised expert in multiple sclerosis, neuroimmunology and optical coherence tomography (OCT), and was awarded the prestigious 2020 Sobek Young Investigator Award (€100,000 endowment, Europe's highest award in MS basic research).
- 22+ years of clinical and academic experience in neurology and neuroimmunology
- Habilitation (PD) at Technical University of Munich, 2019
- 2020 Sobek Young Investigator Award — Europe's highest award in MS basic research
- Newcomer of the Year Award, Technical University of Munich; DFG Doctoral Scholarship
- Currently Head of Neurology at Diak Klinikum Schwäbisch Hall (Prof. Dr.)
Qualifications & Credentials
Medical Degrees
- Medical Studies in Human Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
- Doctorate (Dr. med.), University Hospital Erlangen, Germany — Experimental Work on Hypertension and End-Organ Damage
- Habilitation (Privatdozent / PD), Technical University of Munich, Germany, 2019
Fellowships & Special Training
- Specialist Training (Facharzt) in Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, under Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hemmer
- 12-Month Research Grant, Commission for Clinical Research (KKF), Technical University of Munich
- Doctoral Scholarship, German Research Foundation (DFG)
- GCP-certified Study Physician — Phase II/III multiple sclerosis trials
- Co-Principal Investigator (PI) — therapy studies in MS, Niemann-Pick type C disease and Tay-Sachs disease
Certifications & Accreditations
- State Chamber of Physicians, Bavaria (Bayerische Landesärztekammer) – Registered Specialist
- German Society of Neurology (DGN) – Member
- IMSVISUAL (International MS Visual Network) – Member
- NEMOS (Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group) – Member
- GENERATE (German Network for Translational Encephalitis Research) – Member
- Lindau-Nobel Member; Cochrane Membership; ICC of the Guthy Jackson Foundation
Areas of Expertise
Major Conditions Treated
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Stroke & Cerebrovascular Disease
- Epilepsy
- Cluster Headaches
- Migraine
- Optic Neuritis & Neuro-Ophthalmological Disorders
- Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD)
- Autoimmune Encephalitis
- Parkinson's Disease (Cognition-Related Retinal Changes)
- Niemann-Pick Type C Disease
- Tay-Sachs Disease
- Demyelinating Disorders
Sub-specialties
- Multiple Sclerosis & Neuroimmunology: Internationally cited for pioneering optical coherence tomography (OCT) research showing retinal changes in pre-clinical MS — making him a sought-after MS specialist in Munich Germany for international patients seeking the best multiple sclerosis specialist in Germany.
- Neuro-Ophthalmology: Head of the Neuroophthalmology Research Group at TUM since habilitation in 2019.
- Neuroimmunology Research: Identification of specific leukocytes that dampen autoimmune B lymphocyte activity in MS; compartment-specific inflammation in CNS autoimmunity.
Advanced Procedures & Treatments
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for MS Diagnosis & Monitoring
- MS Diagnosis & Disease-Modifying Therapy
- Stroke Workup & Acute Care
- Anti-Epileptic Drug Optimisation
- Cluster Headache & Migraine Management
- Neuromyelitis Optica (NMOSD) Workup & Immunotherapy
- Autoimmune Encephalitis Diagnosis & Treatment
- Phase II/III Clinical Trial Treatment Pathways (MS, Niemann-Pick C, Tay-Sachs)
- Neuro-Ophthalmological Examination
- Comprehensive Neurology Workup
Professional Experience
Current Affiliation
- Diak Klinikum Schwäbisch Hall, Germany — Head of Neurology (Chefarzt Neurologie), Present
- Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany — Affiliated Senior Researcher and former Senior Physician (Oberarzt), Department of Neurology
- Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany — Privatdozent (Lecturer), since 2019
Past Affiliations
- Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Germany — Senior Physician (Oberarzt) and Head of Neuroophthalmology Research Group, since 2019
- Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Germany — Specialist Training under Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hemmer, Department of Neurology
- University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University, Germany — Doctoral Researcher
- 2018: Staff Member, Center for Medical Data Integration and Analysis (MeDIC LMU – Medical Data Integration Center), LMU Munich
Academic & Research Roles
- Privatdozent (PD), Technical University of Munich, since 2019
- Active teaching at the Medical Faculty of LMU Munich
- Active participation in national and international neurological and neuroimmunological congresses
- Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) in Phase II/III MS, Niemann-Pick C and Tay-Sachs trials
- GCP-certified study physician in numerous Phase II and Phase III MS trials
Key Achievements
- 22+ years of clinical and academic experience
- 2020 Sobek Young Investigator Award (€100,000) — Europe's highest award in MS basic research
- Newcomer of the Year Award, Technical University of Munich
- Doctoral Scholarship, German Research Foundation (DFG)
- Pioneering OCT research demonstrating pre-clinical retinal changes in MS
- Discovery of leukocytes that dampen autoimmune B lymphocyte activity
Awards & Recognitions
National & International Awards
- 2020 Sobek Young Investigator Award — Roman, Marga and Mareille Sobek Foundation, ceremony at Stuttgart Musikhochschule, July 29, 2022 (€100,000 endowment, Europe's highest MS research prize)
- Newcomer of the Year Award, Technical University of Munich
- Doctoral Scholarship, German Research Foundation (DFG)
- 12-Month Research Grant, Commission for Clinical Research (KKF), TUM
Professional Memberships
- German Society of Neurology (DGN)
- IMSVISUAL (International MS Visual Network)
- NEMOS (Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group)
- GENERATE (German Network for Translational Encephalitis Research)
- EUPON; Cochrane Membership; Lindau-Nobel
- ICC of the Guthy Jackson Foundation (NMOSD)
Research & Publications
Published Papers (Selected)
- Knier B, et al. Volume of the retinal inner nuclear layer (INL) correlates with inflammatory disease activity in multiple sclerosis — prospective evaluation of INL changes in 108 patients with MS using optical coherence tomography. Brain.
- Knier B, et al. Cognition-Associated Changes in Retinal Thickness Relate to Limbic and Temporal Cortical Atrophy in Parkinson's Disease.
- Knier B, et al. Optical coherence tomography in multiple sclerosis — pre-clinical retinal changes.
- Knier B, et al. Regulation of compartment-specific inflammation during CNS autoimmunity.
- Knier B, et al. Successful Replication of GWAS Hits for Multiple Sclerosis in 10,000 Germans Using the Exome Array.
- Knier B, et al. Guideline-recommended basic parameter adherence in neurocritical care stroke patients — observational multicenter individual participant data analysis.
Ongoing Research & Clinical Interests
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) in multiple sclerosis
- Neuroimmunology and compartment-specific inflammation in CNS autoimmunity
- Retinal changes as biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases
- Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)
- Cognition-related retinal changes in Parkinson's disease
Estimated Treatment Costs
| Procedure / Consultation | Estimated Cost (INR) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Neurology Consultation | ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 | $180 – $360 |
| MS Diagnosis & Comprehensive Workup | ₹2,50,000 – ₹6,00,000 | $3,000 – $7,200 |
| Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) | ₹15,000 – ₹40,000 | $180 – $480 |
| MS Disease-Modifying Therapy (per year) | ₹6,00,000 – ₹20,00,000 | $7,200 – $24,000 |
| Stroke Workup & Acute Care | ₹3,00,000 – ₹15,00,000 | $3,600 – $18,000 |
| NMOSD Immunotherapy Programme | ₹2,50,000 – ₹8,00,000 | $3,000 – $9,600 |
*Indicative estimates only. Actual costs subject to hospital pricing, case complexity, and insurance. Contact Cancer Rounds for a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What advanced technologies does PD Dr. Benjamin Knier use in Neurologist treatment?
PD Dr. Knier uses cutting-edge neurological technologies including optical coherence tomography (OCT) for MS diagnosis and monitoring, advanced disease-modifying immunotherapy protocols (Sobek Award-recognised), GCP-standard Phase II/III clinical trial treatment pathways, neuro-ophthalmological examination, and modern stroke and NMOSD care — making him a top neurology specialist in Munich, Germany.
2. What conditions does PD Dr. Benjamin Knier specialize in treating?
He specialises in multiple sclerosis, stroke, epilepsy, cluster headaches, migraine, optic neuritis and neuro-ophthalmological disorders, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), autoimmune encephalitis, Parkinson's disease (cognition-related retinal changes), and rare neurometabolic disorders such as Niemann-Pick type C and Tay-Sachs.
3. How do I book an appointment with PD Dr. Benjamin Knier?
Appointments with PD Dr. Benjamin Knier can be booked directly through the Cancer Rounds website or by contacting their international patient department for priority scheduling.
4. Can international patients receive treatment from PD Dr. Benjamin Knier?
Yes. Cancer Rounds provides full assistance for international patients seeking treatment from PD Dr. Knier, including medical visa invitation letters, airport transfers, and local accommodation coordination.
5. What support is available for international patients?
International patients benefit from a dedicated concierge service provided by Cancer Rounds, including language interpretation, financial counselling, and pre-travel virtual consultations to review medical records before arrival.
6. Does PD Dr. Benjamin Knier offer second opinions for Neurologist cases?
Yes. Second opinion consultations with PD Dr. Knier can be arranged via Cancer Rounds for patients seeking expert review of multiple sclerosis, NMOSD, autoimmune encephalitis or complex neuroimmunology cases from a Sobek Award-winning Neurologist specialist in Munich, Germany.
