Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Extinction in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (NCT06834217)
Characterization and Modulation of Functional Connectivity and Fear Extinction Abnormalities in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with substantial impairments in quality of life and is among the most disabling psychiatric disorders. Exposure therapy is among the first-line of treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) . Extinction learning is thought to be a core mechanism of therapeutic exposure. Fear and safety signal learning are traditionally associated with activity and connectivity within the canonical corticolimbic "fear circuit", which includes the amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and hippocampus. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a neuromodulation technology that can augment brain plasticity, learning, and memory. The proposed study will test if obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with inhibitory safety learning deficits and if transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) normalizes functional connectivity and safety signal processing to recover extinction deficits in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (11 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (16 items).
Location: Temple Medical Center — New Haven, Connecticut
Age range: 18 Years to 70 Years
🧪 Interventions in This Study
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- All Participant Exclusion Criteria would include:
- active severe substance use disorder(s)
- acute suicidality
- history of bipolar or psychotic disorder(s)
- significant developmental disabilities
- loss of consciousness \> 10 minutes
- history of traumatic brain injury
- major neurological disease
- a positive pregnancy test
- other brain stimulation or magnetic resonance imaging contraindications
- new psychological treatment within the past 8 weeks
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Temple Medical Center — New Haven, Connecticut
📞 Contact the Study Coordinator
Phone: (203) 974-7523
Email: thomas.adamsjr@yale.edu
Coordinator details come directly from the registered NIH protocol. Confirm the study is still recruiting before traveling.
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.
More studies in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Brain-Oscillation Synchronized Stimulation of the DMPFC — Toronto, Ontario
- Connectomic Deep Brain Stimulation for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder — New York, New York
- ERP to Improve Functioning in Veterans With OCD — East Orange, New Jersey
- Neurophysiological Investigation of the Approach-avoidance Axis in OCD: Applications to Neuromodulation — Houston, Texas
- Comparative Effectiveness of Internet-based Versus Parent-Coached Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy For Children and Adolescents With Anxiety and OCD — Houston, Texas
Explore by condition: All Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) clinical trials
💡 How to Participate
- Check the checklist above to see if you may qualify.
- Contact the study coordinator using the phone/email above.
- Ask about the visit schedule, what is covered at no cost, and any travel support.
- Confirm with your own doctor before making a decision.