Harnessing Hormonal Variation to Probe Neural Mechanisms and Optimize CBT Outcomes for OCD
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.
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) Diagnosis of OCD;
• Male and female subjects aged between 18- 45;
• Women must be menstruating and regularly cycling
• Ability to tolerate a treatment-free period;
• No psychotropic medication in the past 12 weeks
• At entry, at least moderate severity OCD
• Willingness and ability to give written informed consent after full explanation of study procedures.