Leora Yetnikoff

Leora Yetnikoff serves as an Associate Professor of Psychology at the City University of New York, with dual appointments at The Graduate Center and College of Staten Island.

Her research focuses on neurobiological mechanisms linking social isolation to brain myelin alterations, specifically investigating:

• Dopamine's regulatory role in myelin production and repair
• Interactions between dopamine and oligodendrocytes (myelin-producing cells)
• Demyelination processes in social isolation, addiction, and neurological injury
• Therapeutic potential for reversing demyelination effects

Dr. Yetnikoff's scientific recognition includes:

• NSF CAREER grant ($1 million) for her five-year study on social isolation and neural myelin dynamics

This active research employs advanced genetic and imaging techniques to probe dopamine-oligodendrocyte interactions, with implications for treating demyelinating conditions across multiple neurological disorders. Her work bridges molecular neuroscience and behavioral psychology to address fundamental questions about environmental impacts on brain structure.