Sarah O'Dor, Ph.D.

Current Research

My research aims to advance our understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders in youth and to inform effective and targeted treatment. Specifically, my work has focused on understanding the development of neuropsychiatric disorders in children, particularly obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and the role of infections and inflammation in this process. My research utilizes a translational approach, and projects have included neuropsychological assessment, structural neuroimaging, peripheral inflammatory markers, randomized controlled trials, neuropsychological assessments, and naturalistic outcome studies to understand disease pathophysiology, treatment mechanisms, and efficacy. My recent work has focused on transdiagnostic factors—such as irritability—to better understand the risk mechanisms and patterns of brain development that contribute to the emergence of psychiatric disorders during adolescence.

Selected Publications

O’Dor S, Grasso D, McCarthy K, Forbes D, Wakschlag L, Briggs-Gowan M. The Family Socialization Interview –Revised (FSI-R): A comprehensive assessment of parental disciplinary behaviors. Prevention Science, 2016;18(3): 292-304.

O’Dor SL, Washburn J, Howard KR, Reinecke MA. Moderators and Predictors of Response After 36 Weeks of Treatment in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS). Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, 2021: 1-13.

O’Dor SL, Homayoun S, Downer OM, Hamel MA, Zagaroli JS, Williams KA. A survey of demographics, symptom course, family history, and barriers to treatment in children with Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Disorders (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS). Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 2022;32(9): 476-487.

O'Dor SL, Zagaroli JS, Belisle RM, Hamel MA, Downer OM, Homayoun S, Williams KA. The COVID-19 pandemic and children with PANS/PANDAS: an evaluation of symptom severity, telehealth, and vaccination hesitancy. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 2024;55(2): 327-355.

O’Dor SL, Kuhn AJ, Williams KA, Guerette EB, Stern TA. Diagnosing and treating Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, 2024;26(3):23f03662. PMID: 38815274.

O’Dor SL, Adams, C, Gavin, J, Zagaroli, JS, Carlisle, E, Downer, OM, Williams, KA, Masterson, EE. (2025). Pediatric neuropsychiatric syndromes: Updates on COVID-19 infection and vaccination. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 2025;25(5):294-303.

Honors/Awards

• Alies Muskin Career Development Leadership Program (CDLP) Awardee
• Practice Track, Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
• Michael A. Jenike Young Investigator Award, International OCD Foundation (IOCDF)
• Anne Klibanski Scholar Award, Center for Faculty Development (CFD), MGH
• Selected for Leadership Development Program for Researchers; Center for Faculty Development (CFD), MGH

Affiliations

Massachusetts General Hospital