Brain Signatures of OCD

In collaboration with OCD experts across five countries, we are using imaging methods to examine multiple brain circuits thought to underlie OCD behavior. Identifying brain signatures of OCD will provide robust new treatment targets and help pave the way to precision psychiatry where individual brain signatures can help guide treatment choices.

Brain Signatures of Unaffected Siblings of People with OCD

The Center for OCD and Related Disorders is working hard to better understand the brain circuits involved in OCD. As part of this research, we are recruiting adult siblings of people with OCD to help us learn about how the brain makes some people more likely and others less likely to develop OCD symptoms. Are you able to come to New York City for one day to help us advance this science? Everything else can be done remotely. You will be compensated for your time. Click here for more information about this study.

Precision Medicine for OCD

In a collaboration with the Institute of Genomic Medicine, the Center for OCD and Related Disorders is looking at the genes of individuals with OCD to see if we can identify genes that may have put those individuals at risk for OCD. This study seeks to identify genes that may explain why an individual developed OCD and to identify which treatments might work best for them.

If you are interested in participating in our research visit, https://redcap.link/bk7i8wri. To learn more about specific research studies, visit our website www.columbiapsychiatry.org/ocd.

  Defining and Addressing Gaps in Care for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in the United States

This study reviewed the literature to identify and address gaps in OCD diagnosis and treatment among U.S. adults. Lack of clinician and patient knowledge about OCD often contributes to its underdetection, whereas limited use of exposure and response prevention and suboptimal prescribing contributes to its undertreatment. Digital technologies may offer ways of increasing OCD detection and delivery of evidence-based treatment.

  Integrating Videoconferencing into Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Practical Strategies with Case Examples

This study examines ways of integrating videoconferencing into treatment for OCD, which could increase access to evidence-based treatment for many individuals. Videoconferencing can enable remote exposure and response prevention, psychopharmacology, or support groups for OCD as well as clinical training and supervision.

Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in a Nationwide Survey of Office Based Practice: 

This study examined what treatments adults with OCD receive during treatment visits to U.S. office based physicians. Among the 316 visits examined, most were treated with psychotropic medications (84%), most commonly Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (69%) and less commonly psychotherapy (39%).

Patient Preferences and Acceptability of Novel Treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: 

This study examine preferences for and acceptability of treatments for OCD. Among 216 adults with moderate OCD symptoms, preferences for exposure and response prevention and medications were similar (55% and 45% respectively). Participants preferred the addition of exposure and response prevention over additional medications if they were still experiencing symptoms on medication for OCD.

Acceptability, Feasibility, and Effectiveness of Internet-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in New York: 

This study examined if an Internet Based Treatment (based on exposure and response prevention) program for OCD is acceptable, feasible and effective. In 40 adults with moderate to severe OCD, we found that the treatment program was effective in reducing OCD symptoms and symptoms of depression and improving quality of life. Participants found the program acceptable and it was feasible to implement.

Statewide Workforce Development Program to Improve Care for Individuals With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: 

This article will describe how we conducted a systematic assessment of clinician's perspectives and of those with lived experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to improve the quality of care for OCD. We describe how this information was used to develop Improving Providers’ Assessment, Care Delivery, and Treatment of OCD (IMPACT-OCD), a training program to train mental health providers and provide resources to individuals with OCD and their families in New York State.