Understanding and improving fear and safety learning in OCD
Official title: Characterization and Modulation of Functional Connectivity and Fear Extinction Abnormalities in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11415686 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Yale will test brain-based methods to help adults with OCD improve safety learning and fear extinction during therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $810,086 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH137471-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415686 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older with OCD who are seeking ERP-based treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not enrolled in ERP or those with contraindications to noninvasive brain stimulation may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project investigates why people with obsessive-compulsive disorder have trouble learning safety cues and extinguishing fear during exposure-based therapy. Researchers will use brain imaging and a noninvasive brain stimulation approach to see if enhancing certain brain networks can speed up recovery when paired with ERP. The study builds on preliminary findings that targeted stimulation may change how the brain connects during safety learning. If successful, the approach could lead to more effective, personalized treatment strategies for OCD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to faster and more robust improvement in OCD symptoms for patients undergoing exposure therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work suggests that frontopolar tDCS can speed safety learning and may enhance ERP in OCD.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Adams, Thomas G — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Adams, Thomas G
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving safety learning and brain connectivity in adults with OCD
This project sees if gentle brain stimulation plus exposure therapy helps adults with OCD learn safety faster and reduce fear-driven symptoms.
-
Understanding and improving fear responses in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder
This study is looking at how people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can learn to feel safer and how their brains might work differently, using a special technique to boost brain activity during therapy, all to find better ways to help those with OCD feel better.
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Ketamine to boost fear extinction and memory on PTSD patients
A study testing whether ketamine can help people with PTSD better relearn and forget fear when given in a guided treatment plan.
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Metabolic effects of PFAS exposure in the Cape Fear Basin (GenX Exposure Study)
This NIH grant studies how PFAS chemicals in drinking water may affect metabolism and weight-related health in adults and children living along the Cape Fear River.
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Exposure and Response Prevention for Veterans with OCD (via video), to help daily functioning
A Veterans-focused program tests video-delivered ERP therapy to help people with OCD and sometimes PTSD feel more able to work and enjoy daily life.
-
Inflammation and fear learning in PTSD
This study looks at how a temporary inflammatory challenge affects fear extinction in people with and without PTSD to better understand how PTSD could be treated.
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.