Dr. Erin Savner Beck's lab focuses on understanding how multiple sclerosis affects the brain, specifically looking at cortical lesions that are often overlooked in standard imaging. The lab utilizes advanced MRI technology to study these lesions in newly diagnosed MS patients and investigates their relationship to disability progression. The findings aim to enhance our knowledge of MS and contribute to potential new treatments.

Dr. Helen S. Mayberg's lab focuses on developing innovative treatments for patients with treatment-resistant depression using a technique called deep brain stimulation (DBS). By studying how the brain's electrical signals relate to patients' moods and behaviors, the lab aims to create a method that allows doctors to make more objective treatment decisions. This research could help improve the effectiveness and personalization of depression therapies, potentially benefiting many who struggle with this condition.

Dr. Ivan E De Araujo's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on understanding how the brain and gut communicate through specific spinal pathways. This research is important for uncovering how these connections affect emotional and cognitive functions, particularly in relation to disorders such as depression, anxiety, and other gastrointestinal issues. By studying the circuitries involved in gut sensations, the lab aims to identify potential new treatments for these conditions.

Dr. Paul J. Kenny's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on understanding the interactions between HIV infection and opioid use disorder (OUD). The research examines how HIV affects brain function in regions involved in motivation, reward, and addiction, specifically looking at the cellular and molecular mechanisms that lead to increased vulnerability to opioids in HIV-infected individuals. By utilizing advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing and CRISPR gene editing, the lab aims to uncover new insights into how these two conditions exacerbate each other and influence behavior.

Dr. Graham Ellis-Davies' lab focuses on developing innovative optical technologies that allow for precise control over neuronal function, both in laboratory settings and living organisms. By creating advanced photochemical tools, the lab enables researchers to manipulate neurotransmitter activity and neuron signaling processes, unveiling new insights into cellular physiology. The work is grounded in collaboration with physiologists, ensuring that the technologies meet real biological challenges.

Dr. Isaac Marin-Valencia's lab focuses on understanding how metabolism affects brain development. They study when and how metabolic pathways change during critical growth periods in the brain. By using advanced techniques, they aim to uncover important switches in metabolism that could influence the risk of neurological disorders. Their work not only deepens our understanding of brain growth but also has implications for public health by addressing conditions linked to metabolic disruptions.

Dr. Towfique Raj's research lab focuses on understanding the role of immune cells, particularly myeloid cells, in Parkinson's Disease (PD). By analyzing genetic variants and their effects on these cells, the lab aims to bridge the gap between genetic associations and the biological mechanisms that lead to PD. Their work involves advanced techniques in transcriptomics and proteomics to uncover how these immune cells function differently in individuals with PD compared to healthy individuals, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treatment.

Dr. Eric J. Nestler's lab focuses on understanding the brain mechanisms involved in addiction and stress-related disorders. Researchers in this lab study how specific types of neurons in brain regions, particularly the nucleus accumbens, respond to drugs like cocaine and opioids, as well as how early life stress can lead to long-lasting changes in brain function and behavior. The ultimate goal is to identify new strategies for treating addiction and stress disorders by unraveling the complex interactions between drug exposure, gene expression, and neuronal activity.

Dr. Jessica Robinson-Papp's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on understanding how HIV affects the body's autonomic nervous system and its implications for gastrointestinal and immune health. They study how autonomic neuropathy, a nerve dysfunction associated with HIV, can lead to inflammation and serious health issues. By examining both the gastrointestinal tract and immune response, the lab aims to uncover new ways to better assess and manage these complications in people living with HIV.

Dr. Peter Rudebeck's lab focuses on understanding the brain's wiring and communication in relation to mood and learning. They study how deep brain stimulation targeting white matter can help treat psychiatric disorders and investigate the neural circuit mechanisms underlying how we learn from rewards and punishments. By using techniques in primate models, they aim to reveal how brain pathways can be modified to enhance emotional and cognitive functions.

Dr. Scott James Russo's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on understanding how the immune system and neural circuits influence behavior, particularly in relation to stress and aggression. His team investigates the interactions between immune-derived factors and the brain, exploring how these interactions can affect behavior and mental health. Their research aims to find new ways to treat stress-related disorders and to identify the different brain mechanisms that control aggressive vs. pro-social behavior, especially with respect to sex differences.

Dr. Stephen Salton's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on understanding the connections between Alzheimer's Disease and Major Depressive Disorder, two serious brain conditions that often occur together. They study a protein called VGF and its associated peptides, which may be crucial in regulating both diseases. Their research involves using mouse models to test new ways of delivering VGF-derived peptides to see if they can improve brain health and cognitive function.

Dr. Anne Schaefer's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on understanding how certain brain cells, called microglia, respond to and protect against diseases like Alzheimer's. By investigating the role of specific genes and proteins in microglial behavior, the team aims to reveal new ways to reduce inflammation and enhance the brain's ability to clear harmful substances. Their research could lead to innovative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. Tristan Shuman's lab focuses on understanding brain activity related to memory and cognitive impairments in disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. By studying how brain regions communicate and synchronize, especially during episodes of abnormal firing, the lab aims to uncover mechanisms driving cognitive deficits. The research combines advanced techniques such as optogenetics and electrophysiology to manipulate and monitor brain activity in mouse models of these neurological conditions.

Dr. Paul Slesinger's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on understanding how alcohol affects brain function and identifying new treatments for alcohol use disorders. The lab studies specific potassium channels that are involved in neuronal excitability, particularly in how mutations in these channels can lead to neurological diseases. By exploring the structure and function of these channels, the lab aims to develop new drugs that can effectively target and modulate their activity.

Dr. Xiaoting Wu's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on understanding how the brain processes social information and forms memories related to social interactions, especially in relation to neuropsychiatric disorders like autism and schizophrenia. The research uses advanced techniques to explore the neural circuits involved in positive and negative social memories, aiming to uncover potential therapeutic approaches for these conditions.

Dr. Patrick Hof's lab is focused on understanding how cardiovascular health impacts brain health as humans age, particularly in comparison with great apes like chimpanzees and gorillas. The research aims to uncover why humans are more prone to cognitive decline and specific heart diseases than our closest relatives. By studying the differences in brain and heart aging between these species, the lab hopes to provide insights into how we can promote healthier aging in humans.

Dr. Zhenyu Yue's lab at the Icahn School of Medicine focuses on understanding how autophagy helps protect neurons in the brain. They study how the process of autophagy, which recycles damaged cellular components, can go wrong in diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The lab aims to discover ways to improve neuroprotection through understanding these mechanisms, potentially leading to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.

Dr. George W. Huntley's lab focuses on understanding the early cognitive impairments that occur in individuals with Parkinson's disease, specifically how these changes relate to the neurobiology of the brain. The team investigates a mouse model carrying a mutation linked to Parkinson's, exploring the role of cholinergic signaling and how it differs between male and female mice. The goal is to identify potential treatments for cognitive decline in Parkinson's patients and improve diagnosis tools.

Dr. Roger L. Clem's lab focuses on understanding how the brain processes conflicting memories of threat and safety, particularly through the role of specific neurons in the hippocampus. The research aims to uncover mechanisms behind fear memory extinction, which is essential for overcoming trauma. By studying these processes, the lab hopes to contribute insights that can improve therapeutic approaches for individuals dealing with pathological fear, such as those suffering from anxiety and PTSD.