Brain scans reveal why people with BDD see themselves differently

NCT ID NCT04373629

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Expanded access (not trials)

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First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study looks at how the brain and eyes work together when people with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) view their own face. Researchers will use brain scans and eye-tracking to understand why people with BDD see their appearance differently. The goal is to learn more about these perception problems so better treatments can be developed in the future. About 146 adults aged 18-40 with BDD will take part.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 146 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

Dec 2020

Expected to finish

Jun 2026

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 40 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: Body dysmorphic disorder: Inclusion: * males or females * ages 18-40 * meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (DSM-5) criteria for Body Dysmorphic Disorder * have a Body Dysmorphic Disorder version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Scale (BDD-YBOCS) score of ≥20 * primary appearance concerns of the face or head area * medication naïve or medication free for at least 8 weeks prior to enrollment Inclusion Criteria: Subclinical body dysmorphic disorder: Inclusion: * males or females * ages 18-40 * have a score on the Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire of ≥8 \[1 standard deviation (STD) above population norms\] - primary appearance concerns of the face or head area * medication naïve or medication free for at least 8 weeks prior to enrollment Inclusion Criteria: Healthy controls: Inclusion * Healthy males and females from any racial or ethnic background - ages 18-40 * have a score on the Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire of \<8 Exclusion Criteria: Body dysmorphic disorder: Exclusion * concurrent major Axis I disorders including substance use disorders, aside from anxiety disorders or depressive disorders, as these comorbidities are very common and the sample would otherwise be non-representative; however BDD must be the primary diagnosis. * lifetime: bipolar disorder or psychotic disorder. * psychotropic medications, aside from a short half-life sedative/hypnotic for insomnia, or a short half-life benzodiazepine as needed for anxiety but not exceeding a frequency of 3 doses in one week and not to be taken on the days of the training or MRI scan * current cognitive-behavioral therapy Exclusion: Subclinical body dysmorphic disorder: Exclusion * meet full DSM-5 criteria for Body Dysmorphic Disorder * current Axis I disorders including substance use disorders * lifetime: bipolar disorder or psychotic disorder * psychotropic medications, aside from a short half-life sedative/hypnotic for insomnia, or a short half-life benzodiazepine as needed for anxiety but not exceeding a frequency of 3 doses in one week and not to be taken on the days of the training or MRI scan * current cognitive-behavioral therapy Exclusion Criteria: Healthy Controls: Exclusion * Any current Axis I disorder * lifetime: bipolar disorder or psychotic disorder * Psychiatric medication Exclusion Criteria: All participants: Exclusion * Neurological disorder * Pregnancy * Current major medical disorders that may affect cerebral metabolism such as diabetes or thyroid disorders - Current risk of suicide with a plan and intent * Ferromagnetic metal implantations or devices (electronic implants or devices, infusion pumps, aneurysm clips, metal fragments or foreign bodies, metal prostheses, joints, rods or plates) * Visual acuity worse than 20/35 for each eye as determined by Snellen close vision acuity chart (vision will be tested with corrective lenses if participant uses them).

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

How to take part

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  1. The places running it

    1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.

  2. The official record

    ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

    Open the record ↗

  3. A doctor treating you

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

    RECRUITING

    Toronto, Ontario, M6J 1H3, Canada

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