Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 75

Deep Brain Stimulation for treating severe Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Official title: Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery for the Treatment of Refractory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Run by Rabin Medical Center · NCT05995951 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if Deep Brain Stimulation surgery can help people with severe Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder who haven't found relief from other treatments.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
Enrollment10 (estimated)
SponsorRabin Medical Center
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Petah Tikva)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 12, 2021
Main results expectedSeptember 1, 2025
Study endsSeptember 1, 2025
Registry record updatedApril 4, 2025
Trial IDNCT05995951 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 75 with severe OCD symptoms that have persisted for over five years despite multiple treatment attempts.

Probably not a fit

Patients with severe major depression disorder or significant suicidal risk may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery for patients with refractory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The study consists of two parts: the first part involves a non-blinded, open trial with two patients, while the second part is a randomized, double-blinded trial with eight patients. All participants will undergo thorough pre-operative assessments and will receive the Medtronic DBS system implantation. The study seeks to determine the safety and efficacy of DBS in reducing OCD symptoms in patients who have not responded to conventional treatments.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly reduce OCD symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients with refractory OCD.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results for DBS in treating refractory OCD, indicating a potential for success in this approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients with a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder according to DSM 5 criteria, diagnosed by three independent psychiatrists not routinely involved with the patients' treatment.
* Severe OCD assessed by the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) with a score of more than 25.
* Refractory OCD; severe symptoms and impairment for more than 5 years despite pharmacological and psychological treatment.
* Have failed to improve following treatment with at least two serotonin transport inhibitors and one augmenting agent taken for an adequate time period.
* Having failed to improve despite adequate psychotherapy.
* Meet established criteria for implantation of a deep brain stimulation system.
* Patients between ages 18 and 75.
* Ability to understand and sign written informed consent by the patient.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of severe major depression disorder (MDD) with psychotic features.
* Significant suicidal risk \[Hamilton Depression scale item 3 (suicide) \>2\].
* Comorbidity with any primary Psychotic Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Eating Disorder, Autistics Spectrum Disorder.
* History of substance or alcohol dependence or abuse in the preceding 12 months.
* Significant cognitive decline, measured by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE \<26) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA; \<24).
* Any other current clinically significant neurological disorder or medical illness affecting brain function, other than a tic disorder.
* Any clinically significant abnormality on preoperative MRI.
* Any DBS contraindication, infection, coagulopathy, significant cardiac risk factors, or other significant medical risk factors for surgery.
* Pregnancy.

Where it's running

  • Rabin Medical Center
    Petah Tikva, Israel
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.