Actively Recruiting
How Hormones and Exposure and Response Prevention (EX/RP) Affect the Brain of People With OCD
Led by University of Pennsylvania · Updated on 2025-10-07
120
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
206 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Pennsylvania
Lead Sponsor
N
New York State Psychiatric Institute
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Studies show that hormones affect the brain's fear extinction network, which is relevant for therapy involving exposure and response prevention (EX/RP), a first-line treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). This study will examine the effect of delivering EX/RP to women during different phases in their menstrual cycle to determine the effects of hormones on the fear extinction network and on their OCD symptoms.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
How Hormones and Exposure and Response Prevention (EX/RP) Affect the Brain of People With OCD
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) according to DSM-5
- Male or female aged between 18 and 45 years
- Women must be menstruating and have regular menstrual cycles
- Ability to tolerate a period without treatment
- No use of psychotropic medication in the past 12 weeks
- OCD severity at least moderate at study entry
- Willing and able to give written informed consent after study explanation
You will not qualify if you...
- Use of birth control methods affecting menstrual cycle or menopause
- Pregnancy or unwillingness to avoid pregnancy during the study
- Neurologic or medical conditions preventing safe study participation
- Any contraindications to magnetic resonance imaging (e.g., metal implants)
- Comorbid psychiatric conditions that increase risk or confound results
- Prominent suicidal thoughts or recent suicide attempt
- Currently receiving psychotherapy
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
New York State Psychiatric Institute
New York, New York, United States, 10032
Actively Recruiting
2
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
B
Bryanna Mackey
CONTACT
H
Hannah McManus
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here