The Foundation for OCD Research has awarded a Seed Grant to research group of Ingo Willuhn. They will receive $800,000 over four years for exploring neural mechanisms of deep-brain stimulation in a mouse model for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Deep-brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective therapy for otherwise treatment-resistant OCD patients. However, optimizing DBS parameters requires months and its neural mechanism of action is largely unknown.

OCD mouse model

With this grant the research group of Ingo Willuhn want to gain more knowledge on the neural mechanisms in an OCD mouse model. Willuhn explains: “To improve DBS therapy, we will use SAPAP3 mutant mice, a model system that captures key elements of OCD. We aim to characterize the effects of DBS on compulsive behavior and neural activity in OCD-relevant brain circuits in these mice.”

Foundation for OCD Research

The strategy of the Foundation of OCD Research is designed with the intention to deliver a ‘functional’ cure for OCD. To do that, the foundation is pursuing multiple projects across multiple disciplines simultaneously: genetics, neuroscience, and therapeutics.

Source: Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience