Neurobiology of Stress-Related Memories Laboratory
About Our Program
At the Neurobiology of Stress-Related Memories Laboratory at the Psychiatry Research Institute at Montefiore Einstein (PRIME), research focuses on hippocampal and cortical circuits representing episodic memories. Using molecular genetic and cell biological tools, we have identified some of the fundamental roles of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in learning and memory and their neuromodulation by stress-induced peptides.
Areas of Concentration
The central assumption of research at the Neurobiology of Stress-Related Memories Laboratory is that persistent negative emotional states, a key symptom of affective disorders, are often rooted in memories of past stressful experiences.
Long-Term Research Goals
Our researchers seek to understand the relationship between negative memories, negative affect and maladaptive behavior and to identify neurobiological approaches that might help the treatment of affective disorders. By combining these approaches with circuit analyses and manipulations while monitoring neuronal activity in freely moving mice, we aim to develop a comprehensive model of negative memory representation in hippocampal-cortical networks. We recently expanded our focus on the contribution of inflammatory (Nature, 2024) and neurodevelopmental factors to the organization and function of these networks.
Current Projects & Research
Our team is actively involved in clinical research, evaluations and collaborations. PRIME program director Dr. Jelena Radulovic’s work is guided by the principle that neuroscience is not a discipline but a way of thinking about and approaching problems of nervous system structure and function.
About Jelena Radulovic, MD, PhD
Jelena Radulovic, MD, PhD
Professor, Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience
Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Director, Psychiatry Research Institute at Montefiore Einstein (PRIME)
Sylvia and Robert S. Olnick Chair in Neuroscience
Jelena Radulovic, MD, PhD, is a researcher and faculty member at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. With a focus on neuroscience and psychiatry, she explores the mechanisms underlying stress and trauma-related disorders. Dr. Radulovic’s work integrates molecular biology, behavioral analysis and neuroanatomy to deepen our understanding of the brain’s response to stress. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and is committed to advancing the field through innovative research and collaboration. As a director at PRIME, Dr. Radulovic is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of scientists, fostering a supportive environment for students and trainees in the Neurobiology of Stress-Related Memories Laboratory.