Dr. Piacentini and his team’s prior research identified poor family cohesion, high conflict, and high blame as significant obstacles to youths with OCD responding to exposure-based CBT. Notably, 92% of… Read more »
Obsessive compulsive disorder and Tourette syndrome: Phenotype/genotype studies to disentangle their etiology
Previous research during the time of this study showed that OCD and Tourette syndrome (TS) may share common genetic characteristics. Despite these genes being associated with both OCD and TS,… Read more »
Genome-wide association of OCD in an isolated population
As part of ongoing research into the genetics behind OCD, this study by Dr. Knowles and his team aimed to collect and analyze DNA from a specific population — Afrikaners… Read more »
D-Cycloserine augmentation of exposure and response prevention treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder
Although cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has shown to be effective for treating children with OCD, not everyone responds to this treatment. As a result, factors that could help make patients… Read more »
Augmentation of behavioral exposure therapy for obsessive compulsive disorder with D-Cycloserine
While exposure and response prevention (ERP) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are effective for treating OCD, some patients do not experience a reduction in symptoms. In animal models, d-cycloserine has… Read more »
Using magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) to study brain functioning in individuals with trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is an OCD-related disorder characterized by compulsive hair pulling, and associated with impaired social functioning and self-esteem. This study by Dr. O’Sullivan and his team proposed using magnetic resonance… Read more »
Comparing the efficacy of 3 forms of CBT for OCD
Cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) are a category of treatment that have proven to be effective for treating OCD. CBT includes a variety of modalities, including one-on-one and group therapies. This… Read more »
Are children of adults with OCD at greater risk? Investigating the genetics of OCD
At the time of this grant, research into genetic factors underlying OCD and its comorbidities was still novel. The team led by Drs. Black and Gaffney investigated whether children of… Read more »
Monoclonal D8/17 positivity: A possible peripheral marker for some forms of OCD
Sydenham’s chorea is a type of rheumatic fever that may result from infections like strep throat, and which shares symptoms with OCD and Tourette syndrome. Previous research showed that an… Read more »
Cytokine production in patients with OCD
Chronic and prolonged stress coupled with a long period of grief and despair can lead to an increased vulnerability to illness through their effects on the immune system. As a… Read more »