Minnesota Tic and Compulsivity Lab
The Minnesota Tic and Compulsivity Lab is a research laboratory at the University of Minnesota focused on understanding the neurobiology and treatment of tic disorders and compulsive behaviors. It integrates clinical research, neuroimaging, and computational approaches to advance scientific knowledge and improve patient outcomes in conditions such as Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Key facts
Affiliation: University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Focus areas: Tics, Tourette syndrome, OCD, related neuropsychiatric conditions
Methods: Neuroimaging, neuromodulation, behavioral experiments, computational modeling, clinical assessment
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Research focus
The lab investigates the shared mechanisms of tic and compulsive symptoms across neuropsychiatric disorders. It studies how neural circuits, learning processes, and decision-making contribute to symptom expression. Researchers use multimodal neuroimaging and behavioral data to identify biomarkers that predict symptom severity and treatment response.
Clinical and translational work
Researchers in the Minnesota Tic and Compulsivity Lab collaborate with clinical programs at the University of Minnesota to bridge laboratory findings with patient care. Their translational efforts include developing improved diagnostic tools, refining cognitive-behavioral interventions, and exploring novel neuromodulation strategies.
Education and collaboration
The lab trains graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and clinicians in research methods related to neuropsychiatric disorders. It also participates in multicenter collaborations and data-sharing initiatives to enhance reproducibility and accelerate discovery within the broader tic and compulsivity research community.
Learn more about the MnTIC Lab
Watch the Northern News Now interview with Dr. Christine Conelea