Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, in collaboration with the University of North Carolina, are conducting an international study of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in Latin Americans, Hispanics and Brazilians. OCD is a complex disorder involving intrusive thoughts that lead to unwanted and repetitive behaviors that can cause distress to the person experiencing the symptoms. The LATINO (Latin American Trans-ancestry INitiative for OCD genomics) study targets individuals aged 7-89 years and aims to better understand OCD in the Latino, Hispanic and Brazilian population, as well as to increase the diversity of OCD genetic databases. Studying the genetics of OCD in Latin America is critical to understanding how the causes, symptoms and, eventually, treatment of OCD may differ by race and ethnicity.
Eligible participants will complete online questionnaires, participate in a session with a trained clinician to assess their OCD symptoms, and provide a saliva (spit) sample to collect genetic information. Participants will be mailed a saliva collection kit (with instructions) to return to the research team via the included prepaid mailer. If you are interested, would like more information, or would like to find out if you are eligible to participate in the study, please contact [email protected].
Please check the LATINO Website to learn more, meet the collaborators and see some frequently asked questions.
If you or your child have had, or think you might have, OCD and have at least one grandparent who identifies as Latino/Hispanic ancestry, we invite you to take our survey here.
