Mapping the brain's wiring linked to OCD
Structural Connections Core
High-resolution brain scans and animal anatomy are being used to map pathways linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder to help 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-11266130 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team collects very detailed diffusion MRI scans from post-mortem macaque brains that previously received tracer injections to distinguish true brain pathways from imaging artifacts. They use those anatomical findings to refine how diffusion MRI is analyzed in people so the same pathways can be identified reliably. Those improved analysis methods will be applied to compare brain pathways in people with OCD versus healthy volunteers and to examine how noninvasive or invasive treatments affect those pathways. Core B provides scanning advice, quality control, and optimized data pipelines to support multiple linked projects studying the OCD network.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with OCD who can undergo MRI scans or who are enrolled in trials of brain-directed treatments.
Not a fit: People without OCD, those whose symptoms are unrelated to the studied pathways, or anyone unable to have MRI scans are unlikely to receive direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help clinicians target brain-based treatments more precisely for people with OCD.
How similar studies have performed: Diffusion MRI has provided useful insights into brain connections in other disorders, but validating human scans against macaque tracer anatomy is a relatively new and promising approach.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yendiki, Anastasia — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Yendiki, Anastasia
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.