Brain subtypes may hold key to OCD treatment success
NCT ID NCT05829681
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study aims to identify brain-based subtypes of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and see how they respond to two different targets of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Researchers will use brain scans to measure connectivity in specific networks before and after treatment. The goal is to better understand which patients might benefit most from which rTMS target, not to provide a direct treatment benefit.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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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
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212 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2022
- Expected to finish
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Mar 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 to 80 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide 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: 1. Outpatient 2. Aged 18-80 3. Either sex and all ethno-racial categories. 4. Meets DSM-5 criteria for OCD with a moderate level of severity as defined by a Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) score of at least 20. 5. Off antidepressants OR on a stable dose of SRI medication for at least 8 weeks prior to the study with plans to remain on this stable dose during the study. a. Medications that are known to increase cortical excitability (e.g., bupropion, maprotiline, tricyclic antidepressants, classical antipsychotics) or to have an inhibitory effect on brain excitability (e.g., anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, and atypical antipsychotics), or any other medications with relative hazard for use in TMS will be allowed upon review of medications and/or motor threshold determination by TMS specialist. 6. Failed at least 1 prior trial of standard first-line OCD treatment per APA Practice Guidelines (serotonin reuptake inhibitor \[SRI\] or cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention) OR had refused these treatments for individual reasons. 7. Capacity to provide informed consent. 8. Ability to tolerate clinical study procedures. 9. Successfully complete the MRI safety screening forms without any contraindications. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Diagnosed according to the MINI as suffering from a primary psychiatric diagnosis other than OCD. 2. Evidence of psychotic symptoms on diagnostic interview. 3. Diagnosed according to the MINI as suffering from severe Personality Disorder (excluding Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder) or hospitalized due to exacerbation related to borderline personality disorder. 4. Current bipolar disorder or history of any manic episodes. 5. Current active suicidality 6. Met criteria for moderate or severe Alcohol Use Disorder, Cannabis Use Disorder, or Substance Use Disorder (except nicotine and caffeine) within the past 3 months according to DSM-5 criteria. 7. Current eating disorder 8. History of seizure, having an EEG, stroke, head injury (including neurosurgery), implanted devices, frequent or severe headaches, brain related conditions (e.g., intracranial mass lesions globe injuries, hydrocephalus), illness that caused brain injury or first degree relative with seizure disorder. 9. Significant neurological disorder or insult including, but not limited to: any condition likely to be associated with increased intracranial pressure, space occupying brain lesion, history of cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic attack within two years, cerebral aneurysm, dementia, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy. 10. Individuals with primary hoarding disorder without a DSM-5 OCD diagnosis (as determined by MINI and YBOCS checklist). 11. Planning to commence Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (that includes exposure and response prevention) during the period of the study or have begun Cognitive Behavioral Therapy within 8 weeks prior to enrollment. 12. Pregnant or nursing females (assessed via urine dipstick), or plans to conceive during the study. 13. Positive urine screen for illicit drugs (assessed via urine dipstick) \[Exceptions: (1) any prescribed medication that participant is currently taking and (2) positive cocaine metabolite after consumption of coca tea\]. 14. History of any implanted device or psychosurgery. 15. History of any metal in the head including the eyes and ears (outside the mouth). 16. Age of OCD symptom onset \> 40. 17. History of significant hearing loss. 18. Head or neck tics which interfere with TMS and/or MRI. 19. Subjects who suffered from an unstable physical, systemic and metabolic disorder such as unstabilized blood pressure or acute, unstable cardiac disease. 20. Autism spectrum disorder 21. aTBS treatment dose \> 65% maximum stimulator output (MSO) 22. Any other condition deemed by the PD to interfere with the study or increase risk to the participant
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Stanford University
Stanford, California, 94304, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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