The Friedman Brain Institute

Friedman Brain Institute graphic

The Friedman Brain Institute

Conquering the Brain: Medicine’s Last Frontier

The Friedman Brain Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is one of the world’s premier institutions dedicated to advancing our understanding of brain and nervous system disorders and driving innovative approaches to new treatments and diagnostic tests through translational research. We are committed to the best in education, research, and clinical care.

At The Friedman Brain Institute, we support highly innovative research in basic and translational neuroscience by creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment that removes barriers to opportunities and promotes equality for everyone.

How We Approach Anti-Racism

We denounce all forms of racism and bias endemic in our society. Bias, as well as structural and overt racism, negatively impacts our trainees, staff, and faculty, and prevents us from reaching our full potential. At The Friedman Brain Institute, we pledge that:

  • All our faculty, trainees, and staff will become educated to recognize and combat racism.
  • We will continue to build partnerships with local and underserved communities to provide opportunities and promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in science and medicine.
  • We will actively listen to, advocate for, respect, and support our trainees, faculty, and staff who have been subjected to racism and bias, including those that are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). We will work to increase their representation, demand equitable treatment and opportunities for them, and actively report our progress.
  • We will work to end racial inequality within our department and among the greater community represented by the Icahn School.
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MEET THE DIRECTOR

Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD

Eric Nestler headshot

DEAN FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

DIRECTOR FRIEDMAN BRAIN INSTITUTE

PROFESSOR | Neuroscience

PROFESSOR | Pharmacological Sciences

PROFESSOR | Psychiatry

CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER

Dr. Nestler is a renowned neuroscientist, molecular biologist and psychiatrist whose work focuses on the molecular mechanisms of drug addiction and depression.

AT A GLANCE

Research at The Friedman Brain Institute

31889
Publications
24557
Press/Media

771 Researchers

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Recent Publications

A comprehensive suite for extracting neuron signals across multiple sessions in one-photon calcium imaging. Nature Communications

A genome-wide association study of methamphetamine use among people with HIV. BMC Medical Genomics

An active inference strategy for prompting reliable responses from large language models in medical practice. npj Digital Medicine

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Featured Institutes and Centers: Where Breakthroughs Advance

Yasmin Hurd
Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai

Paving the way for recovery and rejuvenation

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brain body connections graphic
Brain and Body Research Center

Exploring the link between the brain and the body

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brain scan on monitor
Depression and Anxiety Center for Discovery and Treatment

Study and treatment of depression, anxiety, and related disorders

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brain scan
Nash Family Center for Advanced Circuit Therapeutics

Advancing the use of deep brain stimulation and other therapies

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Alison M. Goate
The Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease

Advancing the research, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

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brain puzzle graphic
The Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment

Understanding the causes of autism and treatment options

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Discover The Friedman Brain Institute

Imagine a future where knowledge of the brain offers limitless potential to better treat and even cure neurological and psychiatric disease.

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Discover The Friedman Brain Institute

Imagine a future where knowledge of the brain offers limitless potential to better treat and even cure neurological and psychiatric disease.

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We Are Shaping Tomorrow

Anne Schaefer headshot

Identifying the Epigenetic Basis of Brain Disorders

Learn about the research of Anne Schaefer, MD, PhD

Understanding the Neurobiological Basis of Depression

Listen to Paul Kenny, PhD, and Ignacio Saez, PhD

Director Leverages Genomics and Tech for New Insights

Watch video with Panos Roussos, MD

Happening Now

Campus at dusk
2025-05-07 00:00:00.0
Discovery of Dopamine Receptors in a Previously Overlooked Part of the Brain Sheds Light on the Complex Circuitry for Anxiety and Depression
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Brain
2025-04-30 00:00:00.0
Mechanism by Which the Brain Weighs Positive vs. Negative Social Experience Is Revealed
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Center
2025-03-06 00:00:00.0
Stressed New Yorkers Can Now Seek Care at Mount Sinai’s New Resilience-Focused Medical Practice
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Implant
2025-03-05 00:00:00.0
Mount Sinai Is First in the Nation to Perform Deep Brain Stimulation Implant as Part of Clinical Trial for Depression
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Nanoparticle
2025-02-18 00:00:00.0
New Lipid Nanoparticle Platform Delivers mRNA to the Brain Through the Blood-Brain Barrier
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Meditation
2025-02-04 00:00:00.0
New Research Reveals That Meditation Induces Changes in Deep Brain Areas Associated with Memory and Emotional Regulation
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Bipolar
2025-01-22 00:00:00.0
Largest Genetic Study of Bipolar Disorder Identifies 298 Regions of the Genome That Increase Risk for the Condition
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Circadian
2025-01-08 00:00:00.0
Researchers Unravel a Novel Mechanism Regulating Gene Expression in the Brain That Could Guide Solutions to Circadian and Other Disorders
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Learn About Brain Disease

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Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Facts About Strokes
The Prevalence of Depression
The ABCs of Headaches
Understanding Drug Addiction
Facts About Autism
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Contact Us

The Friedman Brain Institute

One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1065

New York, NY 10029-6574

Jenny Rivera
Administrator

212-659-5993
212-849-2611
Email

Vena Persaud
Administrative Manager

212-659-5996
212-659-8510
Email

Thomas Harmon
Senior Director of Development

646-605-8835
Email