Our Mission
Compulsive behaviors are repeated, perseverative actions that are difficult to inhibit despite clear intentions and harmful consequences for individuals. While their expression is diverse – tics, compulsive eating, and addiction are all examples — compulsive behaviors are driven by shared neuronal circuitry. This neuronal circuitry must be studied at multiple levels, from genetic and molecular to synaptic and behavioral levels.
The mission of the NIH Center on Compulsive Behaviors (CCB) is to understand the neurobiology of complex behaviors that result in these compulsive and repetitive actions, and to develop and test new therapeutics aimed at alleviating or reversing these behaviors. By understanding the processes that promote or inhibit the development of compulsive behaviors, we hope to optimize existing treatments, and design new pharmacological and behavioral interventions.
CCB Members
The CCB brings together basic scientists and clinical researchers who share a common interest in compulsive behaviors and are spread across different institutes. The center fosters collaborations and provides unique opportunities for funding and scientific networking. Learn more.
Become a CCB Member
Contact the CCB to learn more about CCB programs, upcoming events, and to join the listserv.
Our Programs
Fellowship Program
Comparative Brain Physiology Consortium (CBPC)
CCB Seed Grant
CCB Journal Club
CCB Leadership and Staff
Leadership
Veronica A. Alvarez, Ph.D.
Bruno B. Averbeck, Ph.D.
Postdoc Fellowship Directors
Yavin Shaham, Ph.D.
Lauren Atlas, Ph.D.
Consortium Director
Seed Grant Directors
Paule Joseph, CRNP, Ph.D.
Valerie Darcey, Ph.D, M.S, R.D.
Graduate Student Fellowship Directors
Mario Penzo, Ph.D.
Amy Janes, Ph.D.
Michael Krashes, Ph.D.
Staff
Sebastian Peña-Vargas (Program Analyst)
Roland Bock , M.Sc. (Program Manager)
Funding
The CCB is currently funded by the NIH Shared Resource Subcommittee, allowing for a stable source of funding to promote our long-term collaborative endeavors. The center was founded in 2017 and supported for the first two years by the DDIR Innovation Award , and DDIR Challenge Innovation Award Program.
CCB Featured on NIH Podcast
Listen to an episode of the NIH Speaking of Science podcast that featured CCB Directors Dr. Veronica Alvarez and Dr. Bruno Averbeck discussing the history and mission of the CCB. Listen.
