Targeted brain stimulation for contamination-based 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

This study investigates a novel method of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) aimed at reducing contamination and washing symptoms in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It focuses on the specific brain networks associated with these symptoms, utilizing advanced imaging techniques to identify connectivity patterns. The approach is designed to personalize treatment by targeting the right medial frontal gyrus and its connections to the ventral attention network, which are believed to play a role in the severity of contamination symptoms. The study will involve a two-phase program to assess the effectiveness of this targeted intervention.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. male or female age 18-55 years old
2. DSM-5 diagnosis of OCD as primary presenting disorder
3. CONTAM as the predominant symptom dimension (i.e., Dimension 4 (CONTAM symptoms) is the highest score on the Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (D-YBOCS); participants with more than one Dimension as highest score will still be eligible as long as Dimension 4 is one of these)
4. score of ≥ 8 on Dimension 4 of the D-YBOCS
5. taking no psychiatric medications or on a stable dose of an SSRI, clomipramine, SNRI, or second generation antipsychotic for at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment. Use of PRN benzodiazepines will be permitted as long as the dose/usage has not changed significantly leading up to enrollment. No medication changes will be permitted during the study
6. have not initiated a new course of exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy within 4 weeks of enrollment (ongoing ERP will be permitted if initiated more than 8 weeks before enrollment).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. positive urine drug screen (other than prescribed benzodiazepines)
2. use of psychiatric medications other than permitted above
3. substance use disorder in the last 3 months (with the exception of nicotine)
4. history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism, Tourette's syndrome (current and past history of depressive, anxiety, and eating disorders permitted as long as OCD is considered the primary disorder)
5. active suicidal ideation over the week prior to screening (as indicated by answering yes to questions 1 or 2 on the C-SSRS)
6. history of traumatic brain injury, seizure disorder, neurodegenerative disease, or other organic brain disease
7. pregnancy or lactating
8. contraindication to MRI scanning or TMS

Where it's running

• McLean Hospital
  Belmont, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Brian P Brennan, MD — Mclean Hospital
• Study coordinator: Rosalind Sokoll
• Email: rsokoll@mgh.harvard.edu
• Phone: 617-855-2911

Similar studies

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

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• AttunE LIFU for OCD: a non-invasive brain stimulation study

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• Combined ERP and Habit Reversal Therapy for Tourettic OCD

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  Recruiting at 2 sites University College London Hospitals · London, London and 1 other locations · NCT07725926

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.