The National Institute of Mental Health has awarded researchers at the University of South Florida College of Medicine $1.2 million to determine if a common antibiotic is effective in treating obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in children.

Eric Storch, PhD, associate professor of in both the USF Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine and holder of the Guild Endowed Chair at All Children’s Hospital, was awarded the four-year federal grant to conduct a double-blind, placebo-controlled study examining the efficacy of d-cycloserine augmentation of cognitive-behavioral therapy for treating children with OCD.

“The study represents an innovative approach in translating bench research findings into clinical research and testing a new approach for optimizing an effective psychotherapy with a safe non-psychotropic medication,” said Dr. Storch, who focuses his research on childhood neuro-developmental conditions.

In addition to Dr. Storch, co-investigators for the study include: Dan Geller, MD, from Harvard University; Tanya Murphy, MD, professor in the USF Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine; Adam Lewin, PhD, assistant professor in the USF Department of Pediatrics; Jane Mutch, PhD, assistant professor in the USF Department of Pediatrics; and Brent Small, PhD, professor and director of undergraduate studies in the USF College of Behavioral and Community Sciences.