The Friedman Brain Institute

We have known for decades that depression and anxiety are highly heritable through genetics; however, it has been difficult to identify the specific genes that comprise this risk. Epigenetic regulation, which controls the function of genes, contributes to this difficulty. At The Friedman Brain Institute, we are pioneering studies of the genetic and epigenetic causes of depression and anxiety, and producing novel information about disease pathogenesis, as well as resistance to these disorders.

Scientists in this research area include:

• Schahram Akbarian, MD, PhD
• Jinye Dai, PhD
• Ian S. Maze, PhD
• Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD
• Scott J. Russo, PhD
• Stephen Salton, MD, PhD
• Anne Schaefer, MD
• Rachel Yehuda, PhD

Depression and anxiety are mediated by abnormal functioning of several overlapping neural circuits in the brain. We are studying these abnormal circuits in animal models and in humans using innovative approaches, including optogenetics and brain imaging.

Scientists in this research area include:

• Jinye Dai, PhD
• Brian Iacoviello, PhD
• James Murrough, MD, PhD
• Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD
• Scott J. Russo, PhD
• Ignacio Saez, PhD
• Daniela Schiller, PhD
• Brian Sweis, MD, PhD
• Herbert Wu, PhD

The brain does not function in isolation. It is highly influenced by several other organ systems and, in turn, controls those other organs. This explains why the incidence of depression is very high in a subset of patients with inflammatory disease, obesity, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis, to name a few. At the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, we are conducting groundbreaking research into the role of inflammation, the microbiome, peripheral metabolism, and cardiovascular status in animal models and in humans as a means of developing novel approaches to treatment.

Scientists in this research area include:

• Jessica Ables, MD, PhD
• Jinye Dai, PhD
• Cameron McAlpine, PhD
• Miriam Merad, MD, PhD
• Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD
• Scott J. Russo, PhD
• Filip Swirski, PhD

At The Friedman Brain Institute, all of our work in animal models is directed toward clinical advances, in particular, more accurate ways of diagnosing subtypes of depression and anxiety, and more effective means of treating them. Icahn Mount Sinai scientists, in conjunction with an outstanding team of doctors and other health care providers at the Mount Sinai Health System, are leading the way in new diagnostic and treatment approaches.

Scientists in this research area include:

• Dennis S. Charney, MD
• Brian Iacoviello, PhD
• Charles Kellner, MD
• Brian Kopell, MD
• Baihan Lin, PhD
• Helen Mayberg, MD
• James Murrough, MD, PhD
• Ignacio Saez, PhD
• Rachel Yehuda, PhD