Eric J. Nestler
- PROFESSOR & CHAIR Neuroscience
- DIRECTOR FRIEDMAN BRAIN INSTITUTE
- PROFESSOR Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics
- PROFESSOR Psychiatry
Print Profile
Specialty
Certifications
Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Research Topics
Education
MD, Yale University School of Medicine
Ph.D., Yale University
Internship, Medicine/Psychiatry
Mclean HospitalResidency, Psychiatry
Yale University School of MedicineFellowship, Pharmacology
Yale University School of MedicineFellowship, Psychiatry
Yale University School of Medicine
Biography
- Dr. Nestler is the Nash Family Professor of Neuroscience and Director of the Friedman Brain Institute. His laboratory studies the molecular mechanisms of drug addiction and depression in animal models.
Visit Eric Nestler's Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Conte Center on Depression and NIDA Program Project Grant for more information.
Awards
2010 -
Sarnat Prize, Institute of Medicine
2005 -
American Academy of Arts and Science
1998 -
Institute of Medicine
Research
Specific Clinical/Research Interest: Molecular neurobiology of drug addiction and depression; transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in the brain.Current Students: Hannah Cates, Caroline Dias, Diane Damez-Werno, Caroline Dias, and Haosheng Sun
Postdoctoral Fellows: Rosemary Bagot, Michael Cahill, Jian Feng, Deveroux Ferguson, Elizabeth Heller, Pamela Kennedy, Ja-Wook Koo, Benoit Labonte, Catherine Pena, Kimberly Scobie, Deena Walker
Research Personnel: Marie Doyle, Eileen Harrigan, Zeke Mouzon (Lab Manager)
Our research focuses on identifying the neurobiological basis of drug addiction and depression in rodent models. We study the molecular and cellular changes that occur in regions of the brain important for reward and motivation in response to chronic administration of a drug of abuse or chronic exposure to stress. We are particularly interested in long-lasting changes that are mediated via alterations in gene expression and chromatin remodeling. The result of the research will guide future efforts toward the development of more effective treatments for addiction and depression.
For more, please visit Selected Publications:
Publications
Dietz DM, Sun HS, Lobo MK, Cahill ME, Nestler EJ, Chadwick B, Gao V, Koo JW, Mazei-Robison MS, Dias C, Maze I, Damez-Werno D, Dietz KC, Scobie KN, Ferguson D, Christofell D, Ohnishi Y, Hodes GE, Zheng Y, Neve RL, Hahn KM, Russo RJ, Nestler EJ. Essential for Rac1 in cocaine-induced structure plasticity of nucleus accumbens neurons.. Nat Neurosci 2012; 15: 891-896.
Lobo MK, Covington HE, Chaudhury D, Friedman AK, Sun HS, Damez-Werno D, Dietz D, Zaman S, Koo JW, Kennedy PJ, Mouzon E, Mogri M, Neve RL, Deisseroth K, Han MH, Nestler EJ. Cell type specific loss of BDNF signaling mimics optogenetic control of cocaine reward. Science 2010; 330: 385-390.
Maze I, Covington HE, Dietz DM, LaPlant Q, Renthal W, Russo SJ, Mechanic M, Mouzon E, Neve RL, Haggarty SJ, Ren YH, Sampath SC, Hurd YL, Greengard P, Tarakovsky A, Schaefer A, Nestler EJ. Essential role of the histone methyltransferase G9a in cocaine-induced plasticity. Science 2010; 327: 213-216.
Nestler EJ. Transcriptional mechanisms of addiction: role of deltaFosB. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. London, B Biol. Sci. 2008; 363: 3245-3255.
Industry Relationships
Physicians and scientists on the faculty of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai often interact with pharmaceutical, device and biotechnology companies to improve patient care, develop new therapies and achieve scientific breakthroughs. In order to promote an ethical and transparent environment for conducting research, providing clinical care and teaching, Mount Sinai requires that salaried faculty inform the School of their relationships with such companies.
Below are financial relationships with industry reported by Dr. Nestler during 2012 and/or 2013. Please note that this information may differ from information posted on corporate sites due to timing or classification differences.
Consulting:
- Berg Pharma (Berg Biosystems)
Scientific Advisory Board:
- Merck & Co., Inc.; PsychoGenics, Inc.
Mount Sinai's faculty policies relating to faculty collaboration with industry are posted on our website at http://icahn.mssm.edu/about-us/services-and-resources/faculty-resources/handbooks-and-policies/faculty-handbook. Patients may wish to ask their physician about the activities they perform for companies.
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