Conor Liston, PhD, MD

Robert Michels, M.D. Professor of Psychiatry

Psychiatry

Contact & profiles

Appointments

Professor of PsychiatryPrimary
Psychiatry · 2023–
Professor of Neuroscience
Brain and Mind Research · 2023–
Robert Michels, M.D. Professor of Psychiatry
Psychiatry · 2023–
Professor
Weill Cornell Graduate School — Neuroscience · 2014–
Physician
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

Past Appointments

Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Psychiatry · 2019–2023
Associate Professor of Neuroscience
Brain and Mind Research · 2019–2023
Associate Professor of Developmental Psychobiology
Psychiatry · 2019–2023

Show all 10

Associate Professor of Neuroscience
Brain and Mind Research · 2019–2019
Associate Professor of Psychiatry
Psychiatry · 2019–2019
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Psychiatry · 2014–2018
Assistant Professor of Neuroscience
Brain and Mind Research · 2014–2018
Visiting Fellow in Psychiatry
Psychiatry · 2012–2013
Senior Clinical Associate in Psychiatry
Psychiatry · 2011–2012
Clinical Associate in Psychiatry
Psychiatry · 2009–2011

Centers

Education

M.D.
Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, 2008
Ph.D., Neuroscience
The Rockefeller University, 2007
A.B., Cognitive Neuroscience
Harvard College, 2002

Overview

Our laboratory operates at the exciting interface between systems neuroscience and biological psychiatry. Our mission is to define the circuit mechanisms by which neurons in the prefrontal cortex contribute to cognitive and emotional processes and to understand how they are disrupted in neuropsychiatric disease states.

Highlights

1
Nature · 2024
CJCharles Joseph Lynch IEImmanuel Elbau TNTommy Ng LVLindsay Victoria+5 more →CLConor Liston
PMID: 39232159PMCID: PMC11410656DOISenior author263 citations
2
Nature neuroscience · 2023
AMAmanda M Buch SHSo Hyun Kim CLConor Liston
PMID: 36894656PMCID: PMC11446249DOISenior author139 citations
3
Cell · 2021
CLConor Liston
PMID: 33861951PMCID: PMC8684294DOISenior author89 citations

Publications

139

Funding

58 View NIH portfolio on RePORTER ↗

Active

18 grants

KP
2026 NARSAD Young Investigator Grant
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation · 2027–2029
35101
MPI
Neuromodulatory control of prefrontal circuit function and reward-seeking
National Institute of Mental Health · 2018–2028· 2 renewals
R01MH118451-08
Co-I
AR² - Autism Replication, Validation, and Reproducibility Center
Office of the Director, NIH · 2025–2028
OT2OD040511-01
PI
An open-label trial of a novel prefrontal cortical interneuron-targeting antidepressant medication combination to achieve rapid antidepressant responses with minimal side effects
Hope for Depression Research Foundation · 2026–2028
HDRF 262807-01
Co-I
Target Engagement During Social Reward Psychotherapy for Mid- and Late-Life Suicidality: A Precision Imaging Trial
National Institute of Mental Health · 2023–2028
R01MH133953-01
Sub-PI
Global Deep Learning Initiative to Understand Outcomes in Major Depression
National Institute of Mental Health · 2023–2028 · via University of Southern California
R01MH131806-04
KP
Closing the Interspecies Gap: Breakthrough Methods for Comparative Molecular Neurodynamics
Burroughs Wellcome Fund · 2024–2027
BWF 240354-01
Co-I
Scalable Biomarkers and Generative Digital Twins for Personalized Neurostimulation in Depression
National Institute of Mental Health · 2022–2027
R01MH131534-01
Co-I
Photopharmacological interrogation of presynaptic neuromodulation of cortico-amygdalar circuits
National Institute of Mental Health · 2022–2027
R01MH129693-01
Sub-PI
Maintenance rTMS for depression (Maitr-De)
National Institute of Mental Health · 2025–2027 · via University of California, San Diego
R61MH138647-02
MPI
Efficacy of biomarker-guided rTMS for treatment resistant depression, Data Sharing Agreement
National Institute of Mental Health · 2019–2027
R01MH118388-05
Co-I
Investigating the mechanistic contribution of Cav1.2 channels in extinction of cocaine-associated memories
National Institute on Drug Abuse · 2022–2027 · via Temple University· 2 renewals
R01DA053261-03
KP
Microbial Regulation of Microglial Function
National Institute of Mental Health · 2022–2026Career
K08MH130773-04
MPI
Biomarker-Guided Antidepressant Selection for Treatment-Resistant Depression
National Institute of Mental Health · 2024–2026
UG3MH137656-01
PI
Longitudinal Studies of Synaptic Remodeling as a Therapeutic Target in Depression (Renewal)
Hope for Depression Research Foundation · 2023–2026
HDRF 231267-02
Co-I
Remote computational phenotyping of behavioral and affective dynamics in major depression
National Institute of Mental Health · 2020–2026 · via Yale University
R01MH124110-03
Co-I
Genetically-Targeted Photo-Pharmacology for Native Opioid Receptors
National Institute on Drug Abuse · 2020–2026
R61DA051529-01
MPI
Impact of BDNF on the Development of Social Behavior Circuits
National Institute of Mental Health · 2020–2026
R01MH123154-05

Completed grants (40)

Sub-PI
Modeling and Model Integration (Transition Funding)
Wellcome Leap, Inc. · 2024–2025 · via Vanderbilt University
UNIV61176
Co-I
Brain-based Mechanisms of Emotion Regulation in Aging and Mood Disorders
National Institute of Mental Health · 2020–2025 · via The Brigham & Women's Hospital INC
R01MH124381-04
KP
Endogenous and causal roles of VTA and LC dopaminergic projections in contextual learning and behavior
Whitehall Foundation, Inc. · 2021–2025
WF 2021-08-089
PI
Individualized Neuroimaging Biomarkers for Predicting rTMS Response in OCD
New Venture Fund · 2020–2025
NVF 202423-05
KP
Implications of Prefrontal Cortex Development for Adolescent Reward Seeking Behavior
National Institute of Mental Health · 2023–2025
K99MH132082-01A1
Sub-PI
Light activated drugs for in vivo photopharmacology
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2022–2025 · via University of California, San Diego
RF1NS126073-01
KP
7T Magnetic Resonance Imaging System for Basic, Translational and Clinical Research
Office of the Director, NIH · 2021–2025
S10OD027039-01A1
Co-I
Molecular and circuit defects underlying different SCN2A mutations and ASDs
National Institute of Mental Health · 2019–2025
R01MH118934-06A1
Sub-PI
The Effects of Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy on Explicit and Implicit Suicidal Cognition
National Institute of Mental Health · 2023–2025 · via Magnus Medical, Inc.
R01MH125160-03
PI
WELLCOME LEAP MARFA Master Contract - Personalized Therapeutic Neuromodulation for Anhedonic Depression
Wellcome Leap, Inc. · 2021–2024
WLI 220839-02
KP
Corticostriatal and Corticoinsular Circuit Mechanisms Underlying Stress Effects on Effort-based Reward Processing
National Institute of Mental Health · 2021–2024Career
K99MH127291-02
PI
Two-photon laser-scanning microscope for interdisciplinary collaborations at Weill Cornell
Office of the Director, NIH · 2022–2024
S10OD032415-01
PI
Diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for subtypes of addiction-related circuit dysfunction
National Institute on Drug Abuse · 2019–2024· 2 renewals
R01DA047851-04
KP
Encoding of fear and safety discrimination in prefrontal-amygdala projections
National Institute of Mental Health · 2021–2023Career
K08MH127383-01
KP
Effects of early life stress on functional development of prefrontal-amygdala connectivity
National Institute of Mental Health · 2020–2023
K00MH124183-02
PI
Longitudinal Studies of Synaptic Remodeling as a Therapeutic Target in Depression (Year 2 Renewal)
Hope for Depression Research Foundation · 2020–2023
HDRF 203840-03
KP
DNA methylation based binary enhancers govern neuronal allocation to coding in the hippocampus
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2018–2023
R01NS106056-01A1
PI
Addgene 699905
Addgene, Inc. · 2022–2023
Addgene 699905
MPI
Dissection Of The Role Of Serotonin Circuits In Reward And Aversion
National Institute of Mental Health · 2021–2023Career
K08MH113039-05
KP
Investigate for the Effect of Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress on Prefrontal Circuit and Anhedonic Behavioral Change in Depression
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation · 2020–2023
BBRF 28470
PI
Prefrontal Cortical Circuit Mechanisms of Working Memory
Rita Allen Foundation · 2017–2022
RAF 17070977-01
KP
Targeting salience network dysfunction in depression with individualized brain network mapping and TMS
National Institute of Mental Health · 2019–2022
F32MH120989-01
Co-I
ApoE4 and Mechanisms of Diffuse White Matter Injury
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2016–2022
R01NS100447-01
PI
Prefrontal Cortical Microcircuit Mechanisms of Working Memory Deficits in Chronic Stress
National Institute of Mental Health · 2016–2022· 2 renewals
R01MH109685-05
KP
Prefrontal circuit mechanisms underlying antidepressant effects of sleep deprivation: a role for metabotropic glutamate receptors
National Institute of Mental Health · 2019–2022
F32MH117973-01A1
KP
Prefrontal Somatostatin-Expressing Interneurons in Action Valuation Processing and Motivational Anhedonia
National Institute of Mental Health · 2017–2021Fellowship
F30MH115622-02
KP
Prefrontal Microcircuits Underlying Cognitive Flexibility (K99 Administrative Supplement)
National Institute of Mental Health · 2018–2021· 2 renewals
K99MH117271-02S1
Co-I
Dietary Sodium, Neurovascular Dysfunction and Cerebrovascular Risk
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2015–2021
R01NS095441-03
KP
Prefrontal Circuits Underlying Attention Selection
Brain & Behavior Research Foundation · 2018–2021
BRF 17091388-01
KP
Prefrontal Microcircuit Mechanisms Underlying Extinction Memory Formation
National Institute of Mental Health · 2017–2020Fellowship
F32MH115654-01
PI
How Stress-Induced Synaptic Remodeling in Specific PFC Circuits Impacts Depression-Like Behaviors
Hope for Depression Research Foundation · 2019–2020
HDRF 200192-01
PI
Diagnostic Neuroimaging Biomarkers of Dysfunctional Valence Systems in Depression and Anxiety
National Institute of Mental Health · 2018–2019
R56MH114976-01A1
KP
The cellular memory of early life adversity
National Institute of Mental Health · 2018–2019
R56MH117004-01
PI
Prefrontal Cortical Circuit Mechanisms of Working Memory
Esther A. & Joseph Klingenstein Fund, Inc. · 2016–2019Fellowship
KSF 170910-03
KP
Exploring the Regulation and Function of Gap Junction-Mediated Signaling in Glioblastoma Multiforme
National Cancer Institute · 2017–2019Fellowship
F32CA217048-02
PI
Circuit Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Treating Neurophysiological Subtypes of Depression
International Mental Health Research Organization · 2015–2018
IMHRO 16060875-03
PI
Neuroimaging and related data from UK Biobank
UK Biobank · 2017–2018
MTA 180131-01
PI
Developing Neuroimaging Biomarkers and Mouse Models of Circuit Pathology in Autism Spectrum Disorder
The Hartwell Foundation · 2015–2018
THF 15030354-02
PI
Chronic Stress Effects on Connectivity in a Limbic Circuit
National Institute of Mental Health · 2014–2017
R00MH097822-05
PI
Chronic Stress Effects on Connectivity in a Limbic Circuit
NIMH · 2012–2014 · via NIH RePORTER
K99MH097822-02

Honors & distinctions

Thomas William Salmon Medal in Psychiatry · The New York Academy of Medicine · 2023
Member · American Society for Clinical Investigation · 2020
Rita Allen Foundation Scholar · Rita Allen Foundation · 2017
Hartwell Individual Biomedical Research Award · The Hartwell Foundation · 2014

Clinical research

Active

7 studies

PI
Biomarker-Guided Antidepressant Selection for Treatment-Resistant Depression
PHASE4 · Weill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2026)
Depression - Major Depressive Disorder; Treatment-resistant Depression (TRD); rTMS; Ketamine; fMRI
NCT07680140
PI
Precision Functional Mapping to Predict and Track ERP Response in Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Longitudinal fMRI Study
NA · Weill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2026)
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
NCT07570108
PI
Assessment of Brain Circuitry in Mental Health: A Longitudinal Neuroimaging Approach (ABC-MH)
Weill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2026)
PI
Precision Functional Mapping in Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Longitudinal Dense-Sampling fMRI Study
Weill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2026)
PI
Maintaining the Acute Therapeutic Effect of rTMS in Treatment-Resistant Depression (Maitr-De)
NA · University of California, San Diego · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2025)
Major Depressive Disorder; Treatment Resistant Depression
NCT06938841
PI
Efficacy of Biomarker-guided rTMS for Treatment Resistant Depression
PHASE3 · Weill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2021)
Treatment Resistant Depression; Major Depressive Disorder
NCT04041479
PI
Accelerated TMS for Depression and OCD
NA · Weill Medical College of Cornell University · OPEN TO ACCRUAL (as of 2021)
Depression; OCD
NCT04982757

Completed & closed trials (2)

PI
A Multi-Site, Randomized, Double-Blind Trial Assessing The Effects of SAINT® Neuromodulation System on Explicit and Implicit Suicidal Cognition
PHASE2; PHASE3 · Magnus Medical, Inc. · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2025)
Major Depressive Disorder; Major Depressive Episode; Suicidal Ideation
NCT03693105
PI
Anonymous tracking of psychiatric symptoms and mental health care needs in health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Sackler Institute (Weill Cornell) · IRB STUDY CLOSURE (as of 2023)

Available technologies

3 View full WCM portfolio ↗

Circuit-Guided Approach for Identifying Synergistic Drug Combinations for Treatment-Resistant Depression
PCT filedPoC DataPMID 42030928
11081
Neuroimaging Biomarkers for Diagnosing Depression Subtypes and Predicting Treatment Response
Application filedPoC DataPMID 27918562
7578
START - Psychiatric Symptom Tracker and Resources for Treatment
PoC Data
9771

News mentions

18 View all WCM news ↗

Brain Region Linked to TMS’s Antidepressant Effects
June 9, 2026
A circuit that runs from the prefrontal cortex near the front of the brain to a deeper brain structure called the insular cortex appears to mediate the antidepressant effects of a newer form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), according to a study led by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.
Reverse Engineering Ketamine’s Effects May Lead to New Antidepressants
May 1, 2026
Weill Cornell Medicine investigators have “reverse engineered” ketamine’s antidepressant effects to identify potential new strategies for treating depression.
Grant Supports Studies to Improve and Personalize Bipolar Care
October 28, 2025
A three-year, $4.5 million grant from BD²: Breakthrough Discoveries for thriving with Bipolar Disorder to Weill Cornell Medicine investigators, in collaboration with Stanford Medicine, will support a three-pronged research project to map the brain circuits that contribute to mood shifts in bipolar disorder and help develop personalized therapies for the condition.
NIH Grant Will Fund Autism Research Replication, Validation, and Reproducibility Center
October 1, 2025
Investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell’s Ithaca campus have received a $5.1 million, three-year grant from the National Institutes of Health’s Autism Data Science Initiative (ADSI) to launch the Autism Replication, Validation, and Reproducibility (AR²) Center.
Innovators Encourage Scientists and Physicians to Dive into Technology Commercialization
January 9, 2025
In its eighth year, the annual Dean's Symposium on Innovation and Entrepreneurship celebrates innovation and Weill Cornell Medicine’s entrepreneurial spirit, while encouraging and motivating the next generation of innovators, inventors and entrepreneurs.

Show 13 more mentions

Brain Scanning Approach Shows Wiring of Depression
September 4, 2024
By repeatedly scanning the brains of a small group of patients for a year and a half, Weill Cornell Medicine researchers have identified a distinct pattern of neuronal interactions that appears to predispose some people to developing depression.
Awards & Honors: March 2024
March 29, 2024
Awards, honors and achievements for the month of March.
Dr. Conor Liston Awarded Salmon Medal in Psychiatry by NYAM
November 21, 2023
Dr. Conor Liston, professor of psychiatry and of neuroscience in the Department of Psychiatry and the Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute at Weill Cornell Medicine, received the 2023 Thomas William Salmon Medal in Psychiatry from The New York Academy of Medicine.
Faculty and Students Recognized with Notable Awards
May 19, 2023
Weill Cornell Medicine faculty members were honored with awards for their exemplary achievements in medical research, education and care May 17-18 during Weill Cornell Medicine’s commencement activities.
Four Different Autism Subtypes Identified in Brain Study
April 7, 2023
People with autism spectrum disorder can be classified into four distinct subtypes based on their brain activity and behavior.
Autism-linked Gene Shapes Nerve Connections
November 28, 2022
A gene linked to autism spectrum disorders plays a critical role in early brain development and may shape the formation of both normal and atypical nerve connections in the brain.
New Study Reveals Where Memory Fragments are Stored
July 14, 2022
New study by The Rockefeller University and Weill Cornell Medicine investigators illuminates the distributed nature of memory processing in the brain, and provides new insights into the process of memory recall, which is less understood than memory storage.
Contract Supports Research into Personalized Treatments for Depression
February 17, 2022
A three-year contract from Wellcome Leap will allow a team of investigators from Weill Cornell Medicine, Stanford Medicine and UC San Diego School of Medicine to study new ways to combat depression and create models that can predict which treatment is likely to work for individual patients.
Immediate Relief: In the Clinic and the Lab, Physician-scientists Explore Ketamine’s Potentially Powerful Role in Psychiatry
September 28, 2021
Depression is the most common mental illness as well as the number one cause of disability among people between the ages of 15 and 44. And for millions of sufferers, antidepressants have literally saved lives that could otherwise have been lost to suicide.
Prefrontal Cortex of Brain Provides Feedback to Redirect Attention
April 15, 2021
To enable animals to shift their attention in response to changing circumstances, the prefrontal cortex of the brain helps keep track of which types of stimuli have recently been most relevant, suggests a preclinical study by Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian investigators
Developmental Deficits in GABA Lead to Abnormal Brain Rhythms in Sensory Areas
January 8, 2020
Decreased amounts of a neurotransmitter called GABA, whose main function is to reduce activity in the brain, leads to changes in the number of neurons in the developing brain and alters signaling between them.
Gut Instincts: Researchers Discover First Clues on How Gut Health Influences Brain Health
October 23, 2019
New cellular and molecular processes underlying communication between gut microbes and brain cells have been described for the first time by scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell’s Ithaca campus.
Study Shows How Ketamine Reverses Depression—and How its Benefits Could Be Extended
April 11, 2019
The powerful but temporary benefits of ketamine against depression might be extended if the new brain-cell connections it promotes could be preserved, according to a new study.

Mentoring

40 All publications with mentees →

9 MD students · 14 PhD students · 3 MD-PhD students · 14 Postdocs

External relationships

Advisory/Scientific Board Member

Delix Therapeutics, Inc · Neuroscience Software, Inc.