Project Summary

Nicole Calakos, M.D., Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2007) of Duke University, will use a mouse model that exhibits key features in common with people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to identify the synaptic abnormalities in the striatum, a brain region implicated in causing OCD. Dr. Calakos hypothesizes that these abnormalities cause a specific impairment in synaptic plasticity, which are associated with normal learning and memory behaviors and are known to be abnormal in disorders associated with maladaptive behaviors, such as addiction. She hopes the results of her study to understand the cellular basis for abnormal compulsive behaviors in mice will shed light onto the cause in humans.

Program Area: ANXIETY DISORDERS\Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

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