Pinpointing brain areas and cell types linked to OCD, Tourette, and anorexia with genetics
Official title: Identifying precise brain regions and cell types associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and related diagnoses using genomics
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11356863 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A short, patient-friendly project that looks at how genes are connected to OCD, Tourette syndrome, and anorexia nervosa to understand which brain regions and cells are involved.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | August 3, 2026 |
| Project end | August 2, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $420,552 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH144579-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11356863 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette syndrome, or anorexia nervosa, or individuals affected by related compulsive disorders.
✕Less likely to help
People without OCD, Tourette syndrome, or anorexia nervosa or those not aligned with genetic-based brain-targeting research might not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses the latest genetic data combined with brain cell maps to identify specific brain regions and cell types that are involved in compulsive disorders. It aims to clarify why these disorders occur and why some patients do not respond to current treatments. The researchers will integrate large genetic datasets with single-cell expression atlases to map neural targets that could guide future therapies, including brain stimulation approaches. The results could ultimately help tailor treatments based on an individual’s genetic and brain profile.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to more precise brain-targeted therapies and better personalized treatment options for OCD, TS, and anorexia nervosa.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier genetic studies have identified shared factors; this project builds on that foundation but focuses on brain cell types and regions.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Halvorsen, Matthew — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Halvorsen, Matthew
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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.