About Eric Holbrook, MD, MS

Departments, Centers, & Programs:

Clinical Interests:

Treats:

Locations

Mass General Cancer Center: Neuro-Oncology
55 Fruit St.
Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-726-5130

Mass Eye and Ear
243 Charles St.
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-523-7900

Medical Education

  • MD, State University of New York Upstate Medical University
  • Residency, Medical College of Virginia
  • Fellowship, Medical College of Virginia
  • Fellowship, University of Nebraska Medical Center

American Board Certifications

  • Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Accepted Insurance Plans

Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.


Research

Dr. Holbrook conducts research in the area of olfaction.  Patients with smell disorders currently have little therapeutic options.  Part of the reason is the lack of understanding of the pathophysiology behind the most common forms of smell loss.  One current projects look at the cellular composition of human olfactory epithelium in subjects suffering from loss of smell.  The immunohistochemical staining pattern in human epithelium is remarkably similar to that seen in rodents.  Several models of olfactory lesions in rodents are being compared to specimens from patients suffering from smell loss in attempt to identify areas of abnormality.  A second project looks at the ability of strengthening the survival and axonal projections of olfactory neurons with odorant exposure in a mouse model of olfactory epithelium regeneration with the hope that this may form the basis of new therapeutic techniques for those suffering from smell loss.  This work is in collaboration with Dr. James Schwob at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Additional research collaborations are taking place with Dr. Sabina Berretta at McLean Hospital identifying a protein specific to schizophrenia and found in olfactory epithelium.  Collaborations with Dr. Daniel Hamilos at MGH Immunology/Allergy work on identifying changes in innate epithelial immunity in patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis. 

Publications

  • Holbrook EH, Mieleszko Szumowski KE, Schwob JE. An immunochemical, ultrastructural, and developmental characterization of the horizontal basal cells of rat olfactory epithelium. J Comp Neurol 1995.
     
    Holbrook EH, DiNardo LJ, Costanzo RM 2001. Olfactory epithelium grafts in the cerebral cortex: an immunohistochemical analysis. Laryngoscope 2001.
     
    Holbrook EH, Leopold DA, Schwob JE. Abnormalities of axon growth in human olfactory mucosa. Laryngoscope 2005.

Reviews: Comments and Ratings

4.8out of 5(263 Ratings, 89 Comments)

December 2024

Excellent experience. Both the doctor and his assistant were respectful and listened.


December 2024

Doctor Eric is an amazing doctor . Thanks to doctor Eric I can breath clearly and more


December 2024

He was very attentive and caring. He was very informative and patient with me. He was very professional and had an extremely friendly demeanor. Great physician !


December 2024

This care provider was excellent. He was thorough, knowledgeable, made me feel at ease.


December 2024

Really appreciate them getting me in on a Friday with holiday approaching next week. They are always extremely professional


December 2024

Dr. Holbrook and [redacted] the nurse practitioner, were very helpful. They answered all my questions. They were just pleasant to deal with and explained things beautifully.


December 2024

Dr. Holbrook was extremely knowledgeable about my symptoms and was a great listener and a warm person.


December 2024

Very professional, aware of the situation, informative, and overall I have a great experience.


December 2024

Skilled surgeon who cured my chronic sinusitis. Friendly and thorough. Always a pleasure to see him.


December 2024

I had another good experience with my doctor

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