How Hormones and Exposure and Response Prevention (EX/RP) Affect the Brain of People With OCD

Description

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

OCD

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

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.

Harnessing Hormonal Variation to Probe Neural Mechanisms and Optimize CBT Outcomes for OCD

How Hormones and Exposure and Response Prevention (EX/RP) Affect the Brain of People With OCD

Condition
OCD
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

New York

New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, United States, 10032

Philadelphia

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) Diagnosis of OCD;
  • 2. Male and female subjects aged between 18- 45;
  • 3. Women must be menstruating and regularly cycling
  • 4. Ability to tolerate a treatment-free period;
  • 5. No psychotropic medication in the past 12 weeks
  • 6. At entry, at least moderate severity OCD
  • 7. Willingness and ability to give written informed consent after full explanation of study procedures.
  • 1. Use of birth control (oral contraception or IUD) that affects the menstrual cycle, or menopause.
  • 2. Pregnancy. Women of childbearing potential will be required to sign a statement indicating their intention to avoid pregnancy during the study.
  • 3. Neurologic or medical condition that would prevent safe participation in the full study protocol.
  • 4. Any contradiction to magnetic resonance imaging (e.g., metallic implants or devices).
  • 5. Comorbid psychiatric conditions that significantly elevate the risks associated with study participation or confound results.
  • 6. Patients with prominent suicidal ideation or with a recent suicide attempt.
  • 7. Current psychotherapy

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Pennsylvania,

Edna B Foa, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Pennsylvania

Helen B Simpson, MD, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, New York State Psychiatric Institute

Study Record Dates

2026-06