NCT07011901 · Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Precision Analytic Research Methods in OCD
What this study is about
Psychiatric disorders characterized by compulsivity, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), result in considerable functional impairment and many individuals do not respond to gold-standard treatments.
View original scientific description
Psychiatric disorders characterized by compulsivity, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), result in considerable functional impairment and many individuals do not respond to gold-standard treatments. Compulsivity has long been thought to occur due to exaggerated habits and reduced goal-directed control, although more recently, this conceptualization of compulsivity as an imbalance of two cognitive systems has been challenged as overly narrow. This study will recruit 100 individuals (50 adults diagnosed with OCD, 50 healthy controls) and leverage the measurement precision offered by theory-driven computational modeling in combination with electroencephalogram (EEG) to go beyond this binary theory of compulsivity, revealing how more complex interactions of neurocognitive subcomponents contribute to compulsivity-information that could ultimately lead to improved treatment personalization and clinical outcomes.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Exposure and Response Prevention
Exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) is the gold-standard behavioral treatment for OCD. It involves confronting the content of obsessions (distressing thoughts, images, or impulses) and resisting the urge to engage in compulsions (observable behaviors or mental acts that are repeated to reduce the anxiety/distress associated with compulsions).
Primary outcome measures
Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale
Time frame: Week 1, Week 5, Week 10
A semi-structured clinician-administered instrument used to measure obsessions and compulsions separately over five dimensions (time consumed, distress, interference, degree of resistance, control). The range of scores for the Obsessions and Compulsions subscales is 0-20, and the range for the total score is 0-40. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity, and a total score greater or equal to 16 is considered indicative of moderately severe OCD
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Participants must be:
- between the ages 18-55 years old
- English-speaking
- right-handed
- able to provide consent
Exclusion criteria
- Individuals diagnosed with OCD will be excluded if:
- they meet diagnostic criteria for certain other psychiatric disorders
- are taking psychiatric medication or have received behavioral treatment for OCD within a certain timeframe
- if it is unsafe for them to participate in research Healthy control participants will be excluded if:
- they have a current psychiatric disorder
- a lifetime history of certain psychiatric disorders
- are taking psychiatric medication or have in the past
- have a parent or sibling who has been diagnosed with OCD
- if it is unsafe for them to participate in research
Where
- New York, New York
Collaborators
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Oct 23, 2025 · Source of record for eligibility and locations