Mar 15, 2013 | Neuroscience, Research, School
Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) is the illicit drug most commonly used by teenagers in the United States. Although cannabis is not as addictive as other substances, such as heroin and cocaine, cannabis-dependent individuals still greatly outnumber those reporting dependence on other illicit drugs and the number of people seeking treatment for cannabis dependence continues to increase yearly. Despite these facts, there is a growing perception, particularly in adolescents and young adults, that cannabis is ‘harmless’ and there is currently much debate as to whether cannabis should be legalized. Unfortunately, most of the discussion and policies being made regarding cannabis have been done without significant consideration of scientific data. Our studies directly address the question regarding the long-term impact on the brain as a consequence of cannabis exposure during adolescence, a period of dynamic brain development.
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Mar 13, 2013 | Neuroscience, Research, School
Is it possible to rapidly elevate the depressed mood? This has been a pressing question over the past 50 years because classic antidepressants, such as Prozac, are known to take weeks to reach clinical efficacy; combining medications to enhance antidepressant outcomes may take even longer, generally months. Mount Sinai has put forth enormous efforts to develop rapid treatments for major depressive disorder. Currently, ketamine treatment and deep brain stimulation are being investigated in clinical research and trials for treatment-resistant depressed patients at Mount Sinai.
Mount Sinai faculty has also been dedicated to the discovery of novel antidepressant treatments. As a faculty member in the Department of Pharmacology & Systems Therapeutics, as well as the Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, I am one of the neuroscientists working to reveal new drug and brain stimulation targets in animal models for the rapid treatment of depression.
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Mar 11, 2013 | Neuroscience, Research, School
The prevalence rate for depression in the United States is nearly 7%, yet standard antidepressants produce full remission in only 30-40% of patients. Even when treatment is effective, patients require 2-4 weeks to achieve the full therapeutic effects. Adding to the problem, there are currently no biological diagnostic tests to predict depression, forcing clinicians to diagnose based upon clusters of non-specific overlapping behavioral symptoms. Thus, in the Russo lab, we are interested in identifying novel biological targets to predict depression and treat it more rapidly and effectively.
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Mar 11, 2013 | School
Today was the last day of the IFMSA conference, and Dean for Medical Education, Dr. David Muller addressed the students who braved the snow this morning, followed by a panel with Dr. Muller, Katie Robbins (PNHP, Healthcare NOW!), and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai students, Riju Banerjee, Josh Oppenheimer, and Susanna O’Kula. The IFMSA students have been a great audience, always asking relevant questions and paying attention throughout a packed schedule.
I had the chance to talk with Japanese delegate Mariko Kondo this evening about her experience this week.
Where in Japan are you from? Tokyo
What year in medical school are you? 4th year at Keio University
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Mar 8, 2013 | School
Jesper Moelgaard, 31, is a 5th year medical student at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He was originally interested in Anesthesiology and is now focusing on Societal Medicine
Since this is his first time ever in America, I sat down with Jesper to chat about his impressions of the conference and New York City.
What’s been a sight-seeing highlight so far?
“Visiting the New York Department of Health in Long Island City where there were amazing speakers and very passionate people. In Denmark we have an expression that epidemiology is as fun as sticking your tongue out the window, but they actually made it very interesting.”
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Mar 6, 2013 | School
On Tuesday night, the pre-General Assembly IFMSA/AMSA conference kicked off in the 13th floor auditorium in Annenberg at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Icahn’s American Medical Students Association (AMSA) chapter is excited to host this year’s pre-General Assembly Conference focusing on global health and advocacy. One hundred medical students from around the world managed to arrive today and listen to organizers Dan Knights, Felicity Jones, Mike Eliasz, Riju Banerjee, and Susanna O’Kula announce the week’s schedule and welcome the delegates to New York.
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