Deep brain stimulation for severe obsessive-compulsive disorder
Reclaim™ Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
This study is testing if deep brain stimulation can help people with severe obsessive-compulsive disorder who haven't found relief from other treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Northwell Health Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Queens, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT02773082 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study explores the use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for patients with chronic, severe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who have not responded to traditional therapies such as medication and cognitive behavior therapy. The DBS procedure involves implanting a device that delivers electrical impulses to specific brain regions associated with mood and anxiety. Patients eligible for this intervention must have a long history of treatment-resistant OCD and meet specific medical criteria. The study aims to provide an alternative to irreversible neurosurgical procedures for these patients.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with a diagnosis of severe OCD lasting at least 5 years who have failed multiple treatment options.
Not a fit: Patients with primary hoarding disorder or those with serious comorbid psychiatric conditions may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve the quality of life for patients suffering from severe, treatment-resistant OCD.
How similar studies have performed: While DBS has shown promise in treating other neurological conditions, its application for OCD is still relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in large-scale studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Have a diagnosis of OCD with a documented duration of at least 5 years * Have OCD rated as severe or extreme illness * Have failed to improve following treatment with at least 3 selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and clomipramine * Do not have hoarding as their primary subclassification * Have completed or tried to complete Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) * Have no serious psychiatric disorder in addition to OCD (e.g. comorbid personality disorder) or current substance abuse issues * Meet established criteria for implantation of a deep brain stimulation system * Are 18 years old or older * Have not had a previous surgery to destroy the region of the brain that will be the target of stimulation * Are not pregnant * Have no other neurological disorders, including dementia * Do not have a bleeding disorder or are not taking blood thinners * Are capable of giving informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who are unable to properly operate the neurostimulator * Patients who will be exposed to diathermy
Where this trial is running
Queens, New York
- Zucker Hillside Hospital — Queens, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Albert J Fenoy, MD — Northwell Health
- Study coordinator: Samantha Gonzalez
- Email: sgonzalez30@northwell.edu
- Phone: 7184704152
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.