Understanding OCD: how people control distressing thoughts and urges
Official title: Neurology of Effortful Neutralization of Threat in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Funded at Laureate Institute for Brain Research · NIH-11413540 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research team is exploring how the brain and behavior work together in OCD to reduce distress and urge-driven actions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Laureate Institute for Brain Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tulsa, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2017 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $237,849 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM121312-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413540 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with OCD or related anxiety profiles who participate in brain-imaging or behavioral studies may be suitable.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience direct personal benefits, depending on study outcomes and interventions.
What this research studies
This NIH-funded project looks at why compulsions persist in OCD by studying brain activity and behavior related to threat and avoidance. Researchers aim to connect how neural circuits and psychological processes contribute to compulsive actions, with an emphasis on threat-related behavior. The work may involve brain imaging and behavioral tasks in adults with OCD to better understand who might respond to new treatments in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to more effective, brain-based approaches for treating OCD.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows some promise in linking CSTC circuitry to OCD symptoms, though results have been mixed and further study is needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Laureate Institute for Brain Research
Tulsa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berg, Hannah E — Laureate Institute for Brain Research
- Study coordinator: Berg, Hannah E
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Neural training to improve stopping impulses in OCD and related conditions
A new computer-based training helps people with OCD, trichotillomania, or skin picking disorders improve their ability to stop automatic urges.
-
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This project looks at how genetic differences influence OCD risk in people with Latin American ancestry.
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Pinpointing brain areas and cell types linked to OCD, Tourette, and anorexia with genetics
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.
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Connectomic Deep Brain Stimulation for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
This project studies how targeting brain networks with DBS could improve symptoms for people with OCD who don’t respond to standard treatments.
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.