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Research Studies

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Active Studies for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Note: for Body Dysmorphic Disorder Studies, please click here.

“OCD Cross Sectional Study ”
(PI: Jeanne Fama, Ph.D. ).

This cross-sectional study seeks to investigate neuropsychological, psychosocial, cognitive, temperamental, and clinical factors that may contribute to the development and/or maintenance of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), with an eye toward the development of prevention and early intervention strategies for OCD and BDD. Comprehensive assessments, including diagnostic interviews, neuropsychological tests, and self-report measures will be administered to children diagnosed with OCD or BDD or no disorder, and their first-degree relatives.


“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.
   
  

“Duloxetine for the Treatment of OCD ”
(PI: Darin Dougherty, M.D. ).

This study is for people with OCD who are not currently taking any other psychiatric medications (other meds, including birth control, are fine). The study runs for 17 weeks, and involves 6 visits to our clinic in Charlestown. During the first visit subjects are interviewed about their past psychiatric history, and complete a variety of questionnaires. The first study visit is the longest (1-2 hours), but visits after that take 20-30 minutes each. At these visits, subjects fill out some short symptom assessments, and discuss how treatment is going for them. At the final visit we will assess the patients' progress and discuss future treatment options. There is no compensation for the study, but the medication is provided free of charge. Patients who wish to enroll must not be on any psychiatric medications, nor can they be undergoing current behavior therapy. Patients with comorbid bipolar disorder or psychosis are excluded, as are patients who have had a depressive episode in the last 12 months.