2014 Seed Grant
Stephanie Dulawa, Ph.D.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience
The University of Chicago
This work will determine mechanisms by which BTBD3, the first gene associated with human OCD by GWAS, influences OCD-related behaviors in mice. In addition to the results we will obtain during the one year funding period, this work will generate critical tools for obtaining future NIH funding. Identifying when and where in the brain BTBD3 regulates OCD-related behaviors will provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying OCD. Furthermore, this work could lead to novel drug treatments for OCD, which are sorely needed. We plan to submit data obtained from this work for publication within 3 months of project completion. In summary, this work could advance our understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of OCD, and lead to novel treatments.
