Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory
of the Department of Psychiatry
of the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College
of Cornell University
Home Overview Research Team Projects Methods Development Education Publications Links
Functional Neuroimaging Laboratoryof the Department of Psychiatryof the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical Collegeof Cornell University
Home Overview Research Team Projects Methods Development Education Publications Links |
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The Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory (FNL) is based in the Department of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY. The goals of this clinical research laboratory are twofold: 1) to identify and characterize patterns of distributed neural activity underlying symptom formation in major psychiatric disorders 2) to develop new imaging and analysis methods in order to address goal 1 with greater sensitivity, specificity and resolution Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is used, along with targeted experimental paradigms, to map and probe neural circuits and associated cognitive, affective, perceptual and behavioral processes thought to be disrupted in various pathologic conditions. The entire range of psychiatric disorders is studied, including schizophrenia, manic-depressive illness, major depression, geriatric depression, anxiety disorders (including panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder), eating disorders, and personality disorders. The resultant identification and characterization of abnormal patterns of activity in specific brain circuits provides a foundation for the development of more targeted, biologically-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Positron emission tomography (PET) is also used in a complementary fashion. The FNL, directed by Drs. David Silbersweig and Emily Stern, consists of a multidisciplinary team of scientists in fields including psychiatry, neurology, radiology, behavioral neuroscience, cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, physics, mathematics/statistics and computer engineering. The laboratory collaborates with many groups of clinical researchers, works closely with basic neuroscientists on translational neuroscientific studies, and participates in numerous local, national and international collaborative research projects. The FNL also has an extensive training program and curriculum with a broad range of trainees, including M.D. (post-residency) research fellows, post-doctoral fellows, residents, medical students and graduate students. Back to Top |
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