Phenotypic, genetic, immunological and neurobiological characterization of the obsessive compulsive disorder and its implications for treatment

Abstract

This thematic project involves a set of studies, which aim to test specific original hypotheses, using diverse methods. Its objective is to supply information concerning phenotypic (module I), genetic (module 11), immunological (module 111), neurobiological (module IV) and treatment (module V) aspects of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCO). The execution of this project involves the creation of a research net, including the three largest Public Universities of the State of São Paulo (USP, UNESP and UNIFESP), emphasizing the training and upbringing of human resources (Post-doctoral, Ph.D., Master of Sciences and undergraduate students' scientific initiation) in the diverse Institutions involved. As a result of the collaboration, studies presented herein will count on larger clinical samples, gathered in a short period of time. Once accomplished, we will also consolidate our exchange with other remaining centers of the country (sponsored by CNPq), as well as collaborations with Harvard and Yale Universities, and a new partnership with the University of California. On the whole, all projects are anchored in a main project, composed of a follow-up longitudinal study of 240 patients who will receive systematic assessment and treatment for two years. The five linked modules are parts of this larger project. Module I is composed of ten projects on the phenotypic characterization of OCO, including diverse strategies that can heuristically contribute to the identification of etiologically involved genes (modules 11 and 111), to the discovery of neuroimaging (module IV) endophenotypes (measurable components which cannot be observed in a clinical assessment, halfway between the genotype and the final expression of the illness) and to the identification of predictive factors to treatment response (module V). Module 11 includes studies of epidemiologic, molecular and segregation analysis genetics, aiming to investigate family phenotypes, vulnerability genes and possible inheritance models of the disorder, respectively... (AU)