Ketamine’s Fast OCD Effects and the Mu-Opioid System
Official title: Examining Mu Opioid Mechanisms of Ketamine's Rapid Effects in OCD
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11394611 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Stanford is exploring how ketamine quickly helps some adults with OCD and what role the mu-opioid system plays.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | August 23, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $700,509 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH133553-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394611 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years or older with OCD who may be candidates for ketamine-related treatment trials.
✕Less likely to help
People without OCD or those unable to participate in ketamine-related procedures may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at why ketamine can rapidly reduce OCD symptoms in adults who don’t fully respond to traditional medicines. Researchers will examine how ketamine interacts with mu-opioid receptors and related brain circuits to produce fast symptom relief. The study aims to identify brain targets and mechanisms that could lead to safer, more effective OCD treatments in the future. Participants would contribute by receiving ketamine-related interventions and undergoing brain and symptom assessments over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could speed up development of faster-acting and more effective OCD therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest ketamine can have rapid anti-obsessional effects in OCD, but mechanism studies are ongoing and further validation is needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rodriguez, Carolyn I — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Rodriguez, Carolyn I
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.