Brain scans reveal how OCD therapy rewires the mind

NCT ID NCT01331876

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study looked at how two different types of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) affect brain activity in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Thirty-five adults with OCD completed 15 therapy sessions and had brain scans before, during, and after treatment. The goal was to see if the therapies cause different changes in brain regions linked to OCD, such as the prefrontal cortex and basal ganglia.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

cognitive behavioral therapy

What this could lead to

If successful, this could help tailor OCD therapies based on brain activity changes, improving treatment effectiveness.

What could go wrong

This is a small, early-stage study (35 people) focused on brain imaging, not on proving which therapy works best. Results may not apply to all OCD patients.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

obsessive-compulsive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital

    Paris, 75013, France