Getting Help > Clinical Trials > New York

Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City

Principal Investigator: Antonio Mantovani, MD

Description of Study:
This study is a research trial of an outpatient, non-medication, non-invasive investigational treatment called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS applies a magnetic field to the brain for a brief period of time. TMS is a procedure that involves 30 minute-long daily sessions every weekday for a series of weeks. We are testing whether TMS can treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either active rTMS or sham (placebo) rTMS. If patients receive sham and/or do not improve, they have the option of receiving real TMS in the second phase of the study. All evaluations and treatment are provided at no cost to the research participant.

Eligibility Criteria:
- 18-70 years old
- Current OCD for at least a year
- previous or current treatment with an adequate trial of medication (a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SRI) or inability to tolerate the side effects of medication
- Ability to commute to NYC for daily treatments (Monday-Friday) for at least 4 weeks

Exclusion Criteria:
- Bipolar Disorder, Psychotic Disorder, Substance Abuse or Dependence within the past year
- Suicidal ideation
- Neurological Disorder, history of seizure or stroke
- Current use of medications that may interact with TMS (e.g., clomipramine, anticonvulsants, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics)
- Metal objects in head
- Pregnancy/breastfeeding
- Prior treatment with TMS or Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)

Contact: For a confidential screening, contact the Brain Behavior Clinic Coordinator
at New York State Psychiatric Institute, 212-543-5767 or bbclinic@columbia.edu