Frontopolar tDCS to improve safety learning and extinction in OCD

Is this trial a fit for you?

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

What this trial studies

Researchers will enroll 180 adults (120 with OCD, 60 matched controls) for a three-day, in-person experiment combining fMRI, fear-conditioning/extinction tasks, and physiological measures such as skin conductance and threat-expectancy ratings. On day 1 participants undergo structural and resting-state fMRI and Pavlovian conditioning to establish fear and safety cues. On day 2 OCD participants are randomized, double-blind, to receive either active or sham frontopolar tDCS during extinction training. The team will examine whether OCD is linked to dysconnectivity between the default mode and salience networks and whether tDCS normalizes connectivity and improves extinction-related learning and responding.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* All Participant Inclusion Criteria would include:

  1. 18 years of age or older
  2. speak English fluently, and
  3. able to provide written and verbal informed consent.
* Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Inclusion Criteria would include:

  1. meet criteria for OCD as determined by structured clinical interview
  2. exhibit significant current symptoms of OCD
  3. report duration of OCD symptoms of at least 1-year
  4. OCD symptoms are primary or co-primary relative to other psychiatric diagnoses
  5. stable psychiatric treatment (≥8-weeks) or no active treatment.
  6. exhibit significant current symptoms of OCD as determined by the Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (DOCS) (≥18).

Exclusion Criteria:

* All Participant Exclusion Criteria would include:

  1. active severe substance use disorder(s)
  2. acute suicidality
  3. history of bipolar or psychotic disorder(s)
  4. significant developmental disabilities
  5. loss of consciousness \> 10 minutes
  6. history of traumatic brain injury
  7. major neurological disease
  8. a positive pregnancy test
  9. other brain stimulation or magnetic resonance imaging contraindications
  10. new psychological treatment within the past 8 weeks
  11. daily anxiolytic medication use (e.g., benzodiazepine).
* Non-Clinical Control Exclusion Criteria would include:

  1. meet current criteria for a psychiatric disorder as determined by structured clinical interview
  2. active-psychotropic medications.

Where it's running

• Temple Medical Center
  New Haven, Connecticut, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Thomas Adams, PhD
• Email: thomas.adamsjr@yale.edu
• Phone: (203) 974-7523

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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.