The Friedman Brain Institute

Is addiction genetic? Addiction disorders are complex illnesses that are strongly influenced by individual genetics and environmental factors. Depending on the drug (legal and illegal), approximately 30 to 80 percent of addiction risk can be inherited.

There is also a significant gene x environment interaction leading to epigenetic disturbances through alterations in chromatin structure within reward regions of the brain that control drug addiction vulnerability and the course of the disorder. Our scientists are leading the field in characterizing genetic and epigenetic mechanisms associated with addiction disorders. These studies, conducted in human subjects and in animal models, hold great promise for expanding our knowledge into genetic predisposition and the neurobiological underpinnings of addiction.

Scientists in this research area include:

• Lakshmi A. Devi, PhD
• Alison Goate, DPhil
• Yasmin L. Hurd, PhD
• Paul Kenny, PhD
• Ian S. Maze, PhD
• Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD
• Scott J. Russo, PhD
• Anne Schaefer, MD, PhD

Revolutionizing the current insights into addiction is dependent on identifying neural circuits in the brain directly linked to specific addiction phenotypes, some shared with comorbid psychiatric illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia. Our scientists are pioneers in using innovative approaches for in vivo circuit mapping including optogenetics, chemogenetics, and brain imaging of addiction-related disorders.

Scientists in this research area include:

• Nelly Alia-Klein, PhD
• Keren Bachi, PhD
• Uraina Clark, PhD
• Vincenzo Fiore, PhD
• Rita Goldstein, PhD
• Xiaosi Gu, PhD
• Yasmin L. Hurd, PhD
• Iliyan Ivanov, MD
• Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD
• Muhammad Parvaz, PhD
• Scott J. Russo, PhD
• Paul Slesinger, PhD

The strong interaction between our preclinical, translational, and clinical scientists helps translate findings in animal models and in humans into clinical applications. The Mount Sinai Health System works with a committed team of doctors and health care providers to promote the discovery of such new diagnostic and treatment approaches.

Scientists in this research area include:

• Keren Bachi, PhD
• Uraina Clark, PhD
• Sidney Hankerson, MD, MBA
• Yasmin L. Hurd, PhD
• Iliyan Ivanov, MD
• Don Des Jarlais, PhD
• Paul Slesinger, PhD