RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Neural Mechanisms of Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) Treatment Failure

This research is looking into why treatment doesn't always work for people with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Many people with OCD are helped by a type of talking therapy called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), especially one that involves facing fears (exposure therapy). However, for some, this therapy doesn't fully ease their symptoms. This study wants to understand what happens in the brain during therapy that leads to good results, and also where things might go wrong. By understanding these brain processes, the hope is to make treatments more effective for more people living with OCD.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University College, London

Enrolment target

Start

10 Nov 2021

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2025

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

What is this study about?

If you live with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), you might be offered a talking therapy like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), often with something called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). This is usually the recommended approach, and it helps many people feel much better. However, for some individuals, this treatment doesn't work as well as hoped, or their symptoms don't fully go away.

This study wants to find out why. The researchers believe that by understanding how the brain responds and changes during therapy, they can learn what makes treatment successful. They'll also be looking for clues about why it might not work as well for others. They hope to discover the 'neural mechanisms' – which basically means how different parts of the brain are working and communicating – that are involved when someone gets better.

By getting a clearer picture of these brain processes, the goal is to improve the way we deliver therapies for OCD. This could lead to new or adjusted treatments that are more effective for a wider range of people, ultimately helping more individuals manage their OCD symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Key takeaways

This study explores how the brain responds to OCD therapy.
It aims to understand why therapy works for some but not all.
Participants will complete questionnaires and computer tasks before and after therapy.
No new treatments are given; it observes your existing therapy.
The goal is to improve future OCD treatments.
Adults with OCD, fluent in English, and starting therapy are needed.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 55 years old and have been diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It's important that you can speak and understand English well, both written and spoken, and that you have normal vision or wear glasses/contact lenses that correct your vision to normal. You also need to be expecting to start your OCD therapy soon.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. These include if you have other conditions like autism, psychosis, schizophrenia, or if you struggle with addiction or substance abuse. People with bipolar disorder, hoarding disorder, or Tourette's disorder also can't take part.

Also, if you have certain hearing problems like tinnitus (ringing in the ears), ear infections, very sensitive hearing, hearing loss, or if you use hearing aids, you won't be able to join this particular study. The same applies if you are colour blind or have severe learning difficulties.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 55 years old?
Have you been diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
Are you able to speak, read, and write in English fluently?
Are you planning to start OCD therapy soon?
Do you have good vision (with or without glasses/contacts)?
Do you *not* have a diagnosis of autism, psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar, or Tourette's?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you'll have appointments before you start your OCD therapy and again after you've finished it. During these appointments, the researchers will ask you about your symptoms using a common questionnaire for OCD called the Y-BOCS. You'll also complete some online questionnaires and do some computer-based tasks that look at how you make decisions. The study is planned to include 90 people in total and is based at University College London, specifically at the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging. You won't be given any new medication as part of this study, it's about observing your brain activity and decision-making in relation to the therapy you'll already be receiving.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study won't directly improve your OCD symptoms, as it's observational. However, the information you provide will be incredibly valuable to researchers, helping them understand how to improve OCD treatments for future patients. There are no significant physical risks involved; you'll mostly be completing questionnaires and computer tasks. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

The study aims to understand why therapy works well for some people with OCD and not others, by looking at brain processes.

What kind of therapy are you looking at?

We are looking at talking therapies for OCD, usually Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

Do I need to be starting therapy to join?

Yes, you need to be expecting to start your OCD therapy soon to be eligible for this study.

Will I receive any experimental treatment?

No, this study doesn't involve any new or experimental treatments. It's about observing how your brain responds to your planned, regular therapy.

Where is the study taking place?

The study is based at University College London (UCL), specifically at the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging.

How to find out more

Tricia Seow, PhD

t.seow@ucl.ac.uk +44-(0)203-1087538 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.