About

The Friedman Brain Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is an interdisciplinary clinical, research, and educational hub that is defining the mechanisms behind brain and nervous system disorders and translating those findings into preventative or restorative interventions, while training the next generation of leaders in the neurosciences.

The Institute represents a large, multidisciplinary effort involving numerous basic science and clinical departments, institutes, centers, and programs across Icahn Mount Sinai's campuses. We focus on genetic, epigenetic, biochemical, cellular, synaptic, circuit, and behavioral dimensions of nervous system functioning under normal and pathological conditions. In taking advantage of the growing body of knowledge about brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system functions and disorders, and elaborating interactions between the nervous system and the body’s other organs, we are poised to drive revolutionary advances in patient care. We will achieve this by developing more effective diagnostic tests and treatments, and eventually, cures and preventative measures.

How to Support Our Work

Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and the relentless pursuit of breakthroughs, we are shaping the future of neuroscientific exploration, and driving innovative approaches to new treatments and diagnostic tests through translational research. Founded in 2008, the Institute trains the next generation of researchers and clinicians in leading-edge brain science. We invite you to become a partner in our extraordinary efforts by making a tax-deductible donation.

Our Leadership

Eric J Nestler, MD, PhD
Eric J Nestler, MD, PhD
DEAN FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
DIRECTOR FRIEDMAN BRAIN INSTITUTE
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Pharmacological Sciences
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER
Schahram Akbarian, MD, PhD
Schahram Akbarian, MD, PhD
PROFESSOR | Genetics and Genomic Sciences
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
Priti Balchandani, PhD
Priti Balchandani, PhD
PROFESSOR | Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
PROFESSOR | Artificial Intelligence and Human Health
Joshua B Bederson, MD
Joshua B Bederson, MD
PROFESSOR AND SYSTEM CHAIR | Neurosurgery
PROFESSOR AND SYSTEM CHAIR | Artificial Intelligence and Human Health
Joseph D Buxbaum, PhD
Joseph D Buxbaum, PhD
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Genetics and Genomic Sciences
John F Crary, MD, PhD
John F Crary, MD, PhD
PROFESSOR | Pathology, Molecular and Cell Based Medicine
PROFESSOR | Artificial Intelligence and Human Health
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
Samuel E Gandy, MD, PhD
Samuel E Gandy, MD, PhD
PROFESSOR | Neurology
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
Alison M Goate, DPhil
Alison M Goate, DPhil
PROFESSOR & CHAIR | Genetics and Genomic Sciences
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Neurology
Rita Z Goldstein, PhD
Rita Z Goldstein, PhD
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
Patrick R Hof, MD
Patrick R Hof, MD
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine
PROFESSOR | Ophthalmology
George W Huntley, PhD
George W Huntley, PhD
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
Yasmin Hurd, PhD
Yasmin Hurd, PhD
DIRECTOR, ADDICTION INSTITUTE AT MOUNT SINAI
PROFESSOR | Pharmacological Sciences
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
PROFESSOR | Artificial Intelligence and Human Health
René S Kahn, MD, PhD
René S Kahn, MD, PhD
SYSTEM CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
Paul J Kenny, PhD
Paul J Kenny, PhD
PROFESSOR & CHAIR | Neuroscience
DIRECTOR, DRUG DISCOVERY INSTITUTE
Helen S Mayberg, MD
Helen S Mayberg, MD
PROFESSOR | Artificial Intelligence and Human Health
PROFESSOR | Neurosurgery
PROFESSOR | Neurology
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
Ian S Maze, PhD
Ian S Maze, PhD
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Pharmacological Sciences
Kristen Dams-O'Connor, PhD
Kristen Dams-O'Connor, PhD
PROFESSOR | Rehabilitation and Human Performance
PROFESSOR | Neurology
Erin L Rich, MD, PhD
Erin L Rich, MD, PhD
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
Panagiotis Roussos, MD, MS, PhD
Panagiotis Roussos, MD, MS, PhD
PROFESSOR | Genetics and Genomic Sciences
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
PROFESSOR | Artificial Intelligence and Human Health
Peter H Rudebeck, PhD
Peter H Rudebeck, PhD
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
Scott J Russo, PhD
Scott J Russo, PhD
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
PROFESSOR | Immunology & Immunotherapy
Anne Schaefer, MD, PhD
Anne Schaefer, MD, PhD
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Psychiatry
PROFESSOR | Immunology & Immunotherapy
Paul Slesinger, PhD
Paul Slesinger, PhD
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
PROFESSOR | Pharmacological Sciences
VICE CHAIR FOR NASH DEPARTMENT OF NEUROSCIENCE | Neuroscience
Nadejda Tsankova, MD, PhD
Nadejda Tsankova, MD, PhD
PROFESSOR | Pathology, Molecular and Cell Based Medicine
PROFESSOR | Neuroscience
Barbara Vickrey, MD, MPH
Barbara Vickrey, MD, MPH
PROFESSOR AND SYSTEM CHAIR | Neurology
Nan Yang, PhD
Nan Yang, PhD
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | Neuroscience

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