Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai faculty devote a significant portion of their time to research. Explore the research centers and institutes allied to The Friedman Brain Institute.

Research Centers

Research Centers affiliated with The Friedman Brain Institute include:

• Advanced Neuroimaging Research Program
  State-of-the-art brain imaging has allowed a first-time glimpse into the structure, functioning, and connectivity of the human and animal brain in both healthy and disease states—findings of broad relevance across medical research and clinical programs.
  Director: Priti Balchandani, PhD

• Alper Center for Neural Development and Regeneration
  The first human embryonic stem cell lines were grown by Dr. James Thomson in Wisconsin in 1998. These cells had the ability to make every cell type in the body, an unlimited source of material, but scientists couldn’t yet use them to study genetic disease.
  Director: Nan Yang, PhD

• Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
  Exploring and treating Alzheimer's disease, as well as conditions of the normal aging process.
  Director: Mary Sano, PhD

• Brain Injury Research Center of Mount Sinai
  Conducting cutting-edge research, with a primary focus on addressing the challenges of living with traumatic brain injury.
  Director: Kristen Dams-O’Connor, PhD

• BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute
  The BioMedical Engineering and Imaging Institute serves as a research catalyst for a new generation of translational and molecular imaging methodologies.
  Director: Zahi A. Fayad, PhD

• Bonnie and Tom Strauss Movement Disorders Center
  This new Center (founded in late 2019), which is directed by Susan Bressman and Brian Koppell, will coordinate and integrate all research, education, and patient care around movement disorders within the Mount Sinai Health System.
  Directors: Susan Bressman, MD Brian Kopell, MD

• Center for Affective Neuroscience
  Integrating cutting edge basic and clinical neuroscience research to better understand and treat mental illness.
  Director: Scott J Russo, PhD

• Center for Computational Psychiatry
  Dedicated to deepening our understanding of how both algorithms and the brain’s biology can contribute to what we know about mental health issues such as addiction, eating disorders, autism, and personality disorders.
  Director: Xiaosi Gu, PhD

• Center for Glial Biology of Mount Sinai/CUNY
  Conducting cutting-edge research on glia biology, with a primary focus on addressing the cross-talk among glial and neuronal cells in the developing and adult brain, with an emphasis on disease pathogenesis.
  Directors: Anne Schaefer, MD PhD Patrizia Casaccia, MD, PhD

• Center for Molecular Integrative Neuroresilience
  Researching botanical dietary supplements and neuroresilience funded by NIH.
  Director: Giulio M Pasinetti, MD, PhD

• Center for Neurotechnology and Behavior
  Cutting-edge technologies used to identify neuronal circuits underlying neurological diseases.
  Director: Paul Slesinger, PhD

• Collaborative Study of the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) (NIAAA Center)
  Focusing on the genetic basis of alcoholism.
  Director: Alison Goate, PhD

• Conte Center on Epigenetic Mechanisms of Depression
  Focusing on transcriptional and chromatin regulatory mechanisms that underlie depression and antidepressant action.
  Director: Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD

• Depression and Anxiety Center for Discovery and Treatment (DAC)
  The Depression and Anxiety Center for Discovery and Treatment (DAC) is a comprehensive research facility and clinical program dedicated to the study and treatment of depression, anxiety, and related disorders including bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research at the Center focuses on discovering the fundamental causes of these disorders in humans in order to develop new, more effective treatments.
  Director: James Murrough, MD

• Light and Health Research Center
  All living things depend upon light for survival. The Mount Sinai Light and Health Research Center was created in 2021 to apply the science of light to improve health outcomes.
  Director: Mariana Figueiro, PhD

• The Lipschultz Center for Cognitive Neuroscience
  This Center will focus on understanding the neural mechanisms of higher cognitive function, and applying this knowledge to the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of cognitive function in humans.
  Director: Mark Baxter, PhD

• Molecular Neurobiology of Drug Addiction (a NIDA Program Project Grant)
  Studying molecular, cellular, and circuit abnormalities that underlie stimulant and opiate addiction.
  Director: Eric J. Nestler, MD, PhD

• Nash Family Center for Advanced Circuit Therapeutics
  Advancing precision surgical treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders through the rapid translation of neuroscience and neuroengineering innovations that correct brain circuit abnormalities and restore mood, motor, and cognitive functioning.
  Director: Helen S. Mayberg, MD

• Neuropsychoimaging of Addiction and Related Conditions Research Program (NARC)
  At the Neuropsychoimaging of Addiction and Related Conditions (NARC) Research Program, we study human brain function related to behavior, cognition, emotion, and personality, with a particular focus on drug addiction and other problem behaviors. We also research comorbid psychopathology and develop cross-modality imaging techniques and sensitive behavioral and neuropsychological assays, creating translational capabilities.
  Director: Rita Z Goldstein, PhD

• Neurosurgery Simulation Core
  The Neurosurgery Simulation Core is actively involved in a variety of research projects, both basic and applied, to advance the field of Neurosurgical Simulation. We engage in a collaborative approach with academia and our industry partners to develop real-world, clinically relevant solutions to problems.
  Director: Anthony B Costa, PhD

• The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research
  The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research examines the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related symptoms.
  Director: Rachel Yehuda, PhD

• The Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease
  Developing state-of-the-art Alzheimer's disease care through genomics, neurobiology, stem cell engineering, and other disciplines.
  Director: Alison M Goate, DPhil

• The Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment
  Extensively researching and treating autism-spectrum disorders.
  Director: Joseph D Buxbaum, PhD

Affiliated Centers

• Light and Health Research Center
  Bridging the science of light to better health outcomes, focusing on lighting applications in healthcare, the workplace, transportation, and agriculture that are both effective and sustainable.
  Director: Mariana Figueiro, PhD

Research Institutes

Research Institutes associated with The Friedman Brain Institute include:

• Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai
  Providing comprehensive and personalized care for patients with alcohol, substance and behavioral addictions
  Director: Yasmin Hurd, PhD
• The Black Family Stem Cell Institute
  Focused on studying the secrets of stem cell communication
  Director: Sarah E. Millar, PhD
• Drug Discovery Institute
  Covering target discovery, validation in novel models, and lead generation of both small molecules and biologics
  Director: Paul Kenny, PhD