Brain circuit hubs behind OCD behaviors
Circuit interactions within the OCDnet
Researchers are mapping the specific brain connections that may cause rigid, repetitive behaviors in people with OCD.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11266117 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have OCD, this project aims to map the brain regions and wiring that underlie persistent, inflexible behaviors. The team combines detailed anatomical mapping in non-human primates with advanced brain imaging in people to identify 'hub' locations and their pathways into the striatum. By separating incoming versus outgoing connections, they hope to tell which parts of the network integrate information and which distribute it. The goal is a clearer map of the OCD network that can guide future targeted treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder who can undergo brain imaging and are able to travel to Rochester, NY for study visits would be the ideal participants.
Not a fit: People without OCD or those needing immediate changes in clinical care are unlikely to receive direct benefit, since this project focuses on mapping brain circuits rather than testing therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to precise brain targets for new or improved treatments such as targeted brain stimulation or more personalized therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous imaging studies have shown abnormal network connectivity in OCD, but combining primate anatomical tracing with human imaging to separate inputs from outputs is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Haber, Suzanne N — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Haber, Suzanne N
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.