Actively Recruiting
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Extinction in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Led by Yale University · Updated on 2026-02-04
180
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
202 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
Y
Yale University
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
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).
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Extinction in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Speak English fluently
- Able to provide written and verbal informed consent
- Meet diagnostic criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) by clinical interview
- Have significant current symptoms of OCD
- Have had OCD symptoms for at least 1 year
- OCD symptoms are primary or co-primary compared to other psychiatric diagnoses
- Have stable psychiatric treatment for at least 8 weeks or no active treatment
You will not qualify if you...
- Have an active severe substance use disorder
- Experience acute suicidality
- Have a history of bipolar or psychotic disorders
- Have significant developmental disabilities
- Have lost consciousness for more than 10 minutes
- Have a history of traumatic brain injury
- Have major neurological disease
- Have a positive pregnancy test
- Have contraindications for brain stimulation or MRI
- Have started new psychological treatment within the past 8 weeks
- Are using active anxiolytic medications such as benzodiazepines
- (For controls) Have any current psychiatric disorder
- (For controls) Are using active psychotropic medications
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Temple Medical Center
New Haven, Connecticut, United States, 06511
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
T
Thomas Adams, PhD
CONTACT
A
Ava Reker, B.A.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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