Neural Mechanisms of Response Inhibition Training for OCRD

Summary

The impaired ability to suppress an inappropriate but pre-potent response (response inhibition; RI) characterizes several debilitating clinical problems, including obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRD) such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, trichotillomania, and skin picking disorder. There is a critical need to develop an effective and durable treatment for OCRDs with demonstrable evidence for improving impaired RI. The purpose of our project is to examine the impact of a novel computerized intervention, response inhibition training (RIT), on neural indices of RI, and examine the mechanistic link between engagement of the neural RI targets and change in OCRD symptoms. To this end, this project will conduct a randomized clinical trial for individuals with OCD, trichotillomania, and/or skin picking disorders. Participants will be randomly assigned to 8 to 16 sessions of computerized RIT or a computerized placebo training. Various clinical, behavioral, and brain-imaging data will be acquired to evaluate the training effects at baseline, post-training, and 1-month follow-up periods.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* age between 18 and 60
* moderate level of OCRD symptoms (Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale total ≥ 16, Massachusetts General Hospital-Hair pulling Scale total ≥ 12, or Skin Picking Scale-Revised total ≥ 7)
* a primary diagnosis of OCRD (i.e., OCD, TTM, or SPD)
* estimated IQ \> 80
* presence of a RI deficits (SSRT ≥ 215ms).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current substance use disorder
* Severe ADHD
* Lifetime diagnosis of psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia
* Current psychotherapy
* Change in psychotropic medication status within 8 weeks before the study or during the study
* Use of stimulant medication
* Active suicidal risk
* Contraindications for MRI procedures

Conditions4

Locations1 site

Browse More Trials