left tinyleft middle tiny right
handWash
Research Studies

Harvard Medical School

Active Studies

Note for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Studies, please click here.


“ Pharmacotherapy Relapse Prevention in BDD ” (PI: Sabine Wilhelm, Ph.D. ).

This is a medication treatment study for adults with Body Dysmorphic Disorder in collaboration with Butler Hospital that seeks to establish the efficacy of Escitalopram, also known as Lexapro, in the treatment of this disorder. Additionally, this study seeks to determine whether individuals who do well on Escitalopram will continue to do well after discontinuation of the medication. It is hoped that some of the gains made during medication treatment can be maintained after the treatment has ceased. Lexapro is among the most highly recommended medications for BDD, although there is currently no FDA approved medication for BDD.
   
  

“Fluoxetine in Pediatric Body Dysmorphic Disorder”
( SITE PI:Sabine Wilhelm, Ph.D. ).

This study seeks to investigate the effectiveness of Fluoxetine as a treatment for children and adolescents with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Information we have so far suggests that Fluoxetine, also marketed as Prozac, might prove effective in treating the effects of this potentially devastating disorder which involves a preoccupation with certain aspects of physical appearance. Currently, there are no FDA approved medication treatments for Pediatric BDD. This is a collaborative study with Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Butler Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital.
   
  

“ Body Dysmorphic Disorder by Proxy Study ” (PI: Sabine Wilhelm, Ph.D. ).

This study is designed to gather information about mental health symptom profile, treatment barriers, and treatment utilization among individuals suffering from Body Dysmorphic Disorder by Proxy (BDD-BP). By examining the etiology, symptomatic profile, and prevalence of this disorder, this study will collect preliminary data that can be used to help further future research to develop better treatment options for individuals with BDD by proxy.

To participate, please use this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BDDBYPROXY
   
  

“Imaging Study”
( SITE PI:Dara Manoach, Ph.D. ).

This study is examining which areas of the brain are involved in attention (the ability to think, reason, and remember) in OCD. We are trying to understand whether people with OCD use certain areas of the brain differently than control participants or individuals with other disorders (schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders) when performing tests of attention that involve eye movements. Different scans will be used to take pictures of your brain (Magnetic Resonance Imaging [MRI]) and brain function (special high-speed functional MRI [fMRI; MEG and EEG]) during certain tasks. This study will also look at your genes to find out if there are relationships between genes and brain function.
   
  

 
“An Open Trial of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Pediatric Body Dysmorphic Disorder ” (PI: Sabine Wilhelm, Ph.D. ).

The purpose of this study is to develop and test the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for children and adolescents suffering from Body Dysmorphic Disorder. CBT is the most effective psychological treatment for adults with BDD. Information we have so far suggests that CBT might prove effective in treating children and adolescents with BDD as well.
   
  

“Multicultural BDD Study ” (PI: Luana Marques, Ph.D. ).

This study seeks to examine potential underlying cultural and ethnic factors in the manifestation of Obsessive-compulsive Disorder using a simple, easy to use survey. This study aims to identify disparities in healthcare between different ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds as well as different sexual orientations and genders. Please use this link to participate: www.surveymonkey.com/BDDSurvey
   
  

“A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of D-cycloserine augmentation of behavior therapy for BDD.” (PI: Sabine Wilhelm, Ph.D. ).

In this research study we seek to investigate the effectiveness of D-cycloserine as a memory booster for Exposure and Response Prevention in the treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder. D-cycloserine is an antibiotic that has been used in the treatment of tuberculosis for over 20 years. Research so far demonstrates D-cycloserine does increase the effectiveness of Exposure and Response Prevention in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. We would like to expand this research with D-cycloserine to see if it is effective with body dysmorphic disorder.