If you or your child have had, or think you might have, OCD, identify as Black or African American, and have at least one parent or grandparent who identifies as Black or African American, we invite you to take our survey here.

Each participant who meets eligibility criteria, provides a saliva sample, and completes questionnaires will receive $25 for completing all study forms/assessments and $25 for providing the saliva sample, for a total of $50. Your biological parents may also be compensated $25 for completing questionnaires and sending a saliva sample, meaning your family can get paid up to $100.

Your participation time is expected to be between 1-4 hours.

The study can take place remotely via Zoom, over the phone, or in person.

General inquiries can be directed to BELONG@mssm.edu.

Yes, children can join the study if their parent or guardian consents and the child wants to participate.

BELONG is funded by the US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Yes, you may be eligible even if you haven’t been diagnosed with OCD or treated for OCD in the past. In fact, a lot of individuals with OCD have never been formally diagnosed or treated. The survey form and interview aims to evaluate your eligibility to participate based on your responses.

If English is not your primary language you may still be eligible. However completely non-English speaking participants and their parents/guardians are not eligible as all study components are in English.

No, only individuals who reside in the United States can participate in our study.

Genomic studies focus on all the genes that you have in your chromosomes. Neurogenomic studies focus on conditions that affect our brain and behavior.

Your responses in the questionnaire and during the interview will provide us with a more comprehensive understanding of your OCD, as well as associated symptoms such as depression and anxiety and also how OCD has affected you and your life. The saliva sample will allow us to study neurogenomic risk factors for OCD.

Keeping your information confidential is our highest priority. BELONG adheres to federal regulations and policies to safeguard your data and ensure proper storage and safety of biological samples. Your data and samples will be deidentified (for example, your name and any other identifying information will be removed) and integrated into a national repository supervised by the National Institute of Health. Detailed information about the storage and confidentiality of your data and samples is provided in your consent form. Should you have any questions regarding confidentiality, please don’t hesitate to reach out to BELONG@mssm.edu.

We will provide instructions in the kit that we mail to you.

From your saliva sample, we will extract DNA that will be used for the neurogenomic analysis. From this DNA we will be able to obtain a readout of your genetic code. This information will be integrated with similar information from thousands of individuals also affected by OCD. By comparing the DNA of those affected and unaffected by OCD, we can identify distinctions that will help us understand more about the biology and neurogenomics of OCD.

Saliva and the extracted DNA samples will be initially maintained at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. They will later be sent to and managed by a national repository supervised by the National Institute of Health.

Neurogenomic and genetic analyses cannot be shared with you. As a research laboratory we act in accordance with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988 and cannot directly release neurogenomic and genetic data from the study to participants. We will also remain compliant with New York State laws concerning genetic testing and the use of research data.

If your clinical assessments confirm an OCD diagnosis, you will be provided with resources to access clinical care, should you be interested.