Understanding and correcting brain circuit issues related to compulsive behaviors
Official title: Direct characterization and correction of circuit level computational deficits underlying compulsivity in humans
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-10985640 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain areas work in people with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder to see if stimulating these areas can help improve their decision-making and control over their urges, with the hope of finding better ways to treat compulsive behaviors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 9, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $194,460 |
| NIH project number | 1K23MH135238-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10985640 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder who are undergoing deep brain stimulation therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild or moderate compulsive behaviors or those not undergoing deep brain stimulation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain circuits involved in compulsive behaviors, which are common in various psychiatric disorders. By using advanced deep brain stimulation devices, researchers will record and stimulate neural activity in patients with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. The goal is to understand how changes in brain activity relate to improvements in cognitive functions like decision-making and inhibitory control. This approach aims to provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of compulsivity and develop better treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for patients suffering from compulsive behaviors, enhancing their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research using deep brain stimulation has shown promise in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder, indicating that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Andrew Howard — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Smith, Andrew Howard
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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.