Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 16 and up

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.

More Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder trials

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages16 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment500 (estimated)
SponsorHaukeland University Hospital
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Bergen, Vestland)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMarch 23, 2018
Main results expectedAugust 1, 2024
Study endsDecember 11, 2027
Registry record updatedDecember 23, 2022
Trial IDNCT05663489 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

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.