Leading lab in BFRB research seeks study participants

The Addictive, Compulsive and Impulsive Disorders (ACID) research/clinical group of the University of Chicago has a variety of treatment services and clinical trial opportunities available in the areas of substance addiction, impulse control, and obsessive compulsive disorder.  Dr. Jon Grant, onle of the leading researchers in body focused repetitive behaviors such as dermatillomania, is the director of the group. ACID strives to better understand the biological underpinnings of conditions such as substance and behavioral addictions, including alcohol, drug, and tobacco dependency, pathological gambling, compulsive shopping, kleptomania (shoplifting), pyromania (fire setting), compulsive sexual addictions, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), skin picking, trichotillomania (hair pulling) and body dysmorphic disorder. It is hoped that through understanding the cause and triggers, there can be better facilitation of treatments and quality of life for clients and their families.  Currently they have two studies underway. One for hair pulling, and one for both skin picking and hair pulling.

BFRB Precision Medicine Initiative (Ages 11-65)

Do you pull your hair or pick your skin?

We are seeking volunteers to participate in a study involving an MRI, questionnaires, and a blood draw. We are hoping to learn about differences in the brain, genetics, and other variables to help us discover new treatments for hair pulling and skin picking disorders.

Participants must be able to come in for two visits at the University of Chicago and have no metal in their bodies. Eligible participants will be compensated.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Sarah Redden at sredden@bsd.uchicago.edu or 773-702-9066.

Hormone Research Study: Females with Hair Pulling Disorder

We are seeking female volunteers for a one-visit research study that involves coming to the office at the University of Chicago to give a saliva sample and complete some questionnaires. Participants must be between 11-17 years old and not currently taking birth control pills. Eligible participants will be compensated. We would like to see if/how hormones play a role in trichotillomania.

If you are interested, please contact Sarah Redden at sredden@bsd.uchicago.edu or 773-702-9066.

Both of these studies are being conducted by Dr. Jon Grant at the University of Chicago.