Science of Behavior Change (SOBC) Common Fund Update

Will M. Aklin, Ph.D. Division of Therapeutics and Medical Consequences, NIDA

14th Annual RSA Satellite Session on Mechanisms of Behavior Change

San Diego, CA June 16, 2018

Topics • SOBC Goals and Network

• SOBC Measures Repository

• Update on Funding Opportunities

• Special Issue of Behaviour Research and Therapy

• Next Steps

Science of Behavior Change (SOBC) • Goal: Identify common mechanisms that drive initiation and

maintenance of behavior change across disorders

• Implement a mechanism-focused, experimental medicine approach to behavior change research

• Identify an intervention target

• Develop assays (measures) to permit verification

• Engage the target through experimentation or intervention

• Test whether target engagement produces behavior change

SOBC Research Network • The SOBC Research Network has identified potential targets

for behavioral change interventions in three broad domains:

• Self-regulation

• Stress reactivity and stress resilience

• Interpersonal and social processes

• 8 teams funded to conduct target validations activities required to implement an experimental medicine approach

https://scienceofbehaviorchange.org/method

SOBC Measures Repository • Source for behavior science measures that have been

validated in line with SOBC experimental medicine approach

• Provide full details of validation process and increase openness and transparency of science

• 111 SOBC Measures Repository assays, including experimental manipulations and measures, from the three SOBC domains

• Accessible through the SOBC Research Network Open Science Framework (OSF) at https://osf.io/zp7b4

https://scienceofbehaviorchange.org/measures SOBC Research Network Open Science Framework (OSF)

https://osf.io/zp7b4

SOBC Measures Repository

https://scienceofbehaviorchange.org/measures SOBC Research Network Open Science Framework (OSF)

https://osf.io/zp7b4

Hypothesized Domain All Domain Self-regulation Stress Reactivity & Stress Resilience Interpersonal & Social Processes

Measure Type All Type Self-report Task Observational

Measure Duration All Duration 0-5 min 6-10 min 11 – 15 min Target Population All Population Adult Child

16 – 20 min 21-30 min 31 min & up Not Specified

SOBC Measures Repository

SOBC Funding Opportunities • Issued Competing Revision FOAs (R01, U01, R34; RFA-RM-17-022,

RFA-RM-17-023, RFA-RM-17-024

• Accelerate the validation, and translation of assays in the SOBC Measures Repository for ongoing clinical trials

• Integrate assays in the SOBC Measures Repository into active trials of drugs, devices, or behavioral modifications

SOBC Funding Opportunities • Issued Exploratory/Developmental R21 FOAs (R21; RFA-RM-17-

028)

• Exploratory and developmental research project applications (R21) to advance a mechanisms-focused, experimental medicine approach to behavior change research

• Encourage the adoption, validation, and verification of assays from the SOBC Measures Repository (to engage and verify engagement of behavior change targets hypothesized to be malleable, and responsible for behavior change)

SOBC Behaviour Research and Therapy Special Issue • Special Issue entitled “An experimental medicine approach to

behavior change: The NIH Science of Behavior Change”

• Papers describe the SOBC mission and the work of its research teams, protocols for constituent projects, and implications of the approach and its public health impact

• Behaviour Research and Therapy. February 2018: 101:1-108

Next Steps…

• The SOBC Program is funded until 2020

• Expand the Network with an eye toward sustainability

• Stay tuned for meetings and workshops

For More Information…

https://commonfund.nih.gov/behaviorchange

Related Funding Opportunities Available now:

• Behavioral and Integrative Treatment Development Program; PA-18-055; R01, R34, R03

• Improving Patient Adherence to Treatment and Prevention Regimens to Promote Health; PA-18-722; R01, R21

• Target Assessment, Engagement and Data Replicability to Improve Substance Use Disorders Treatment Outcomes; PAR-16-352; R21/R33; R33

Thank You!

For more information, please contact: Will M. Aklin, PhD NIDA aklinwm@mail.nih.gov 301-827-5909