Investigating brain and genetic changes in anxiety and OCD treatment
Official title: Neurobiological Markers of Treatment Response for Anxiety and OCD
Run by Haukeland University Hospital · NCT05663489 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing how a special 4-day therapy for OCD and other anxiety disorders affects both mental health and brain changes in patients, while also looking at their DNA.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 16 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Haukeland University Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bergen, Vestland) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 23, 2018 |
| Main results expected | August 1, 2024 |
| Study ends | December 11, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | December 23, 2022 |
| Trial ID | NCT05663489 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include individuals diagnosed with OCD, social anxiety disorder, or panic disorder who are referred for the B4DT at Haukeland University Hospital.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with ongoing severe mental health issues, such as suicidal tendencies or psychosis, will 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 observational study focuses on patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder undergoing the Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT), an intensive exposure-based therapy. The study aims to assess psychological and neurobiological changes associated with treatment response by measuring symptom severity and collecting saliva samples for DNA methylation analysis. Additionally, a subset of participants will undergo multimodal MRI to explore brain changes over time. The research will involve 500 OCD patients and a smaller group of patients with other anxiety disorders, alongside healthy controls for comparison.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of treatment responses in anxiety disorders, leading to more personalized and effective therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with intensive CBT approaches like B4DT, indicating potential for success in this novel investigation of neurobiological markers.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder or social anxiety disorder using DSM-5 criteria * Referred to National Clinic for 4-Day Treatment, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway * Consented to participate in the "Kvalitetsregister for konsentrerte behandlingsformat" Exclusion Criteria: * Suicidal, ongoing mania, primary eating disorder, intellectual disability, ongoing psychosis, ongoing substance abuse For MRI substudy: Inclusion Criteria: \- For the healthy controls, no previous or current psychiatric disorders as detected by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) Exclusion Criteria: \- MRI incompatibility (e.g. pregnancy, metal implants)
Where it's running
-
Bergen Center for Brain Plasticity
Bergen, Vestland, Norway Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Bjarne Hansen, PhD — Haukeland University Hospital
- Study coordinator: Bjarne Hansen, PhD
- Email: bjarne.kristian.aaslie.hansen@helse-bergen.no
- Phone: +4792090765
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Anxiety Skills Study: See if video skill training plus therapy helps people with anxiety
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This project will see if an 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion class delivered in person or by video helps people with anxiety or depression have fewer symptoms.
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Stepped versus stratified care for anxiety in children and adolescents
This project tests whether starting all 8–17-year-olds with anxiety on online CBT and adding in-person CBT only if needed (stepped care) works as well as assigning online or in-person CBT up front based on clinical complexity (stratified care).
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Team-delivered exposure-based CBT for children and teens with anxiety and OCD
This test tries three ways of delivering team-based exposure-focused CBT—in-person, by telehealth, or a flexible mix—to see which works best for kids and teens (ages 5–18) with anxiety or OCD.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.