Francisco X. Castellanos

Francisco X. Castellanos is an Adjunct Professor in the Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Physiology, and Radiology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. His academic roles span multiple disciplines within the medical and neuroscience fields, reflecting expertise in neuroimaging, cognitive neuroscience, and clinical research.

Dr. Castellanos holds an MD degree from Louisiana State University. His research focuses on understanding the neuronal substrates of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) using advanced neuroimaging techniques such as functional and structural MRI, alongside novel behavioral and cognitive assessments. Key areas include genetics and psychopharmacology of ADHD, systems/computational neuroscience frameworks, and applications of RDoC (Research Domain Criteria). He also investigates spontaneous thought processes in depression, neural mechanisms of dialectical thinking, and translational studies linking basic neuroscience to clinical psychiatric interventions.

His recent publications reflect a multidisciplinary approach addressing ADHD in pediatric populations, obesity risk factors through MSG studies, and clinical trials exploring cannabidiol for essential tremor. Collaborative research efforts include working with international teams on neuroimaging methodologies and psychiatric disorder biomarkers. Dr. Castellanos has led studies such as a sham-controlled pilot trial on focused ultrasound modulation in schizophrenia and is engaged in cross-departmental research initiatives.

Notable affiliations include NYU Langone Health, where he contributes to both clinical care and academic programs. His work emphasizes bridging clinical practice with cutting-edge neuroscience research, particularly in child and adolescent populations.