On-going studies in the Bay Area or online that you might consider participating in:
Please Note: The IOCDF provides links to these research studies for the convenience of our web users. The IOCDF is not responsible for the availability or content of these external research studies or website, nor does IOCDF endorse, warrant or guarantee the products, services or information described or offered in these research studies.
Local:
UCSF OCD Program
Study Contact: ocdresearch@ucsf.edu
Current Studies:
Cortical Stimulation to Treat OCD
Stanford OCD Research Program
Study Contacts:
OCD Research Intake Line: ocdresearch@stanford.edu 650-723-4095
BDD/IAD/SSD Research Intake Line: ocdresearch@stanford.edu 650-723-4095
Suicide Research Intake Line: itsastudy@stanford.edu 650-497-2577
Hoarding Symptoms/Disorder Research Intake Line: clutterhelp@stanford.edu 650-497-2577
Current Studies (https://med.stanford.edu/rodriguezlab/research.html)
How Ketamine Brings About Rapid OCD Improvement
Building on our lab’s prior work showing ketamine brings about rapid (within hours) reduction of OCD symptoms in half of those who receive a single dose of ketamine, this study will be the first to test ketamine’s opioid properties in modulating fronto-striatal cognitive control circuits and anti-obsessional effects. Eligible participants with OCD (ages 18 ‒ 65) will receive a single infusion of low-dose ketamine, randomization to either pill placebo or drug that blocks opioid pathway, and two MRI brain scans. After completing research procedures, participants with OCD may be eligible for treatment through our clinic or research studies.
Funding: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Enrolling: *NEW STUDY* Fall 2023- Spring 2028 (5-year study), in-person
Seeking Healthy Controls
We are seeking individuals who have no history of psychiatric disorders to serve as controls in our studies listed above. Studies may involve diagnostic interviews, MRI brain scans, and computer games. Compensation provided for time and travel.
LATINO Genomics Project
The goal of this study is to understand how genetics contributes to OCD. While genomic studies of OCD have made exciting discoveries and are beginning to reveal information about risk, more than 95% of the people involved in these studies are of European ancestry. To increase representation and reduce health disparities, we are joining an interdisciplinary network of over 50 sites to collect clinical information and DNA through saliva from at least 5,000 Latinx adults and children with OCD. Please reach out if you have Latin American or Hispanic ancestry (you, a parent, or a grandparent need to have been born in Latin America or the Caribbean, or your family descends from Latin America). After completing research procedures, participants with OCD may be eligible for treatment through our clinic or research studies.
Funding: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Enrolling: *NEW STUDY* Fall 2023- Spring 2028 (5-year study), in-person
Studying Troriluzole (Investigational Drug) in OCD: Phase III Clinical Trial
We are seeking patients with OCD who are currently experiencing symptoms despite current medication treatment to participate in a research study investigating the drug troriluzole as an adjunctive therapy to help treat OCD (it is not yet FDA-approved for this purpose). Troriluzole is a glutamate modulator and hypothesized to normalize glutamate levels. Participants with OCD (ages 18 ‒ 65) will receive a psychological and medical evaluation to determine eligibility for the study. In the randomized study, participants will receive once a day dosing of the study drug or a matching placebo for 10 weeks. After completing the 10 weeks, participants may continue to participate in the study and receive once a day dosing of Troriluzole for 12 months, if eligible.
Funding: Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Industry-Sponsored Multi-Site Study)
Enrolling: Ongoing, in-person
NOOC Study: Efficacy of Nitrous Oxide in OCD
The inhaled anesthetic nitrous oxide (known to many as “laughing gas”) has a mechanism of action similar to that of ketamine, and, like ketamine, has been shown in randomized trials to rapidly improve symptoms of depression. Given the established safety profile and ease of use of nitrous oxide, we are studying whether nitrous oxide may rapidly decrease symptoms of OCD. We are seeking individuals with OCD, ages 18 to 65, who are not taking medications to participate in a randomized, controlled trial of nitrous oxide treatment for symptoms of OCD. Study participation lasts for two to four weeks. Participants who benefit from nitrous oxide inhalation may be eligible for a second phase of the study investigating how nitrous oxide brings about improvement in OCD symptoms.
Funding: Brain & Behavior Research Foundation
Enrolling: Ongoing, in-person
FLEX Study: Fluoxetine/Dextromethorphan in OCD
The oral medicine dextromethorphan (brand names including Robitussin, Delsym) has long been used as an over-the-counter non-prescription treatment for cough. In recent years, it has also been combined with other medicines to create FDA-approved prescription treatments: Neudexta for neurologic disorders and Auvelity for major depressive disorder.
Dextromethorphan has a glutamate-based mechanism of action that suggests it may be a helpful medicine for OCD and related disorders, though it has never been studied as an OCD treatment. We are testing whether the combination of dextromethorphan and fluoxetine (Prozac) may decrease symptoms of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. We are seeking individuals between 18 to 65 with symptoms of OCD, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), illness anxiety disorder (IAD), or somatic symptom disorder (SSD) to take part in an eight-week, open-label study of the combination of fluoxetine and dextromethorphan vs fluoxetine alone. Eligible participants may be using fluoxetine currently or not taking any medication. This study is fully remote, with all assessments and study visits taking place via secure videoconference.
Funding: The Miller Foundation
Enrolling: Ongoing, fully remote
CVS Study
The purpose of this study is to test whether noninvasive, brief activation of the vestibular (balance) system may influence the strength of obsessive thoughts and relieve distress. Participants (ages 18 ‒ 65) with a diagnosis or symptoms of OCD or the related disorders body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), illness anxiety disorder (IAD), or somatic symptom disorder (SSD) will undergo eligibility screening, including psychological evaluation and a physical exam. Study participation is anticipated to last 3 days; involves noninvasive stimulation of the vestibular (balance) system, an EEG (electroencephalogram) recording during a computer-based test of attention, and a psychological assessment; and is compensated.
Funding: Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Enrolling: Ongoing, in-person
IMPROVE Study
Improv comedy is a type of theater (e.g., games or scenes) in which actors perform without a script. It has been shown to have positive outcomes for treating patients with a variety of psychiatric symptoms. However, no study to date has investigated the effects of an improv comedy-facilitated intervention for individuals diagnosed with OCD. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard treatment for OCD. We are seeking patients with OCD who are interested in participating in a novel ERP + Improv Group Therapy for OCD. This intervention will augment ERP with improv comedy activities.
Participants with OCD (ages 18 and over) will receive a psychological evaluation to determine eligibility for the study. In the study, all participants will receive weekly 90-minute group therapy for 12 consecutive weeks, answer questions about OCD symptoms, and complete questionnaires. Compensation will be provided for time and travel.
Funding: Trailblazing Trainee Award Program, Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Enrolling: Ongoing, in-person
Understanding Suicide Attempt Risk Factors
We are seeking individuals who have had active suicidal thoughts in the past month. This study aims to understand and identify risk factors that may indicate risk for suicide attempts among adults with suicidal ideation. Eligible individuals (ages 18 to 65) will be invited to participate in online assessments and two follow-up phone calls. This study is entirely remote.
Funding: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Enrolling: Ongoing, fully remote
Contact: itsastudy@stanford.edu or 650-497-2577
Upcoming Studies
MDMA-Assisted CBT for OCD
Funding: Foundation for OCD Research
Pilot Study of the Glutamate AMPAR Modulator RR-HNK in OCD
Funding: International OCD Foundation
OCD Study (UCSF Radiology)
We are currently conducting an imaging study to explore the brain areas involved in OCD and how they compare to individuals without OCD. The aim of the study is to explore how the brains of those with OCD process reward and the need to choose between multiple relevant options in order to attain a goal, known in neuroscience as cognitive control. To do this we are using a task functional magnetic imaging(tfMRI) protocol. fMRI uses magnetic fields to detect blood flow to different areas of the brain. By measuring blood flow to parts of the brain during the stages of a task, and how those measurements are different between the OCD and control groups, we can see if parts of the brain are more or less activated depending on whether someone has OCD or not. Parts of the brain we are particularly interested in are the Anterior Cingulate Cortex(ACC) and the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex(DLPFC) which have been suggested in previous studies to be involved in OCD. The task we are using is a computer-based game meant to simulate a foraging environment in which participants are asked to choose one of two options on each turn, each with their own risk and reward.
The study has three stages for each participant. First a brief online screening survey to determine the level of OCD symptoms. Second the participant will be asked to play the game on their own online in order to get used to the interface. After the online game is completed the participants will be asked to come to UCSF Mission Bay campus and play the game while the fMRI is running. The fMRI scan is a 1.5-2 hour commitment and will occur Monday – Friday between 8-6 and involves lying still in a small space for up to an hour. Participants will be compensated for each stage of the study.
Study contact: samuel.lashof-regas@ucsf.edu.
Online:
Pride OCD Study (Baylor College of Medicine)
Participate in the first ever survey for LGBTQIA+ people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). 30-minute confidential online survey that researchers hope will help update and inform OCD theories and practices to be inclusive of the unique experiences of LGBTQIA+ people. For more information click here.
Study contact: prideOCD@bcm.edu