Neural Underpinnings of Sequence Processing in OCD (Clinical Population)

Study Information

Many people with OCD find that they struggle to complete tasks. The purpose of this study is to better understand how the brain works to allow people with OCD to make decisions and accomplish goals. We are interested in how the brain works when you make a decision to accomplish a goal. In this study, we use fMRI, or functional magnetic resonance imaging, to take pictures of the brain while a person is completing a task or while resting. Using fMRI, we hope to learn more about the brain networks involved in decision-making behavior in OCD.

You may be eligible if:

• You are between the ages of 18 and 55
• You are diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• You are right-handed
• You are fluent in English
  

If you are interested, contact us to verify your eligibility. A staff member will tell you about the study and ask you some questions. Based on the conversation, you may be invited to a virtual interview.

Will I be compensated for participating?

Eligible participants will be compensated up to $100 for completing the study.

How do I sign up?

For more information or to discuss your eligibility, please fill out the contact form and a study team member will contact you soon. Please note that we are unable to contact interested parties by text message at this time.

Meet the Team

Sarah Garnaat, PhD

Theresa Desrochers, PhD

FAQ's

What will happen during this study?

Eligible participants will complete 2 visits in total:

• During the first visit, which will be conducted via phone and video conferencing, participants will complete an interview with a member of our study staff, which will include questions about their physical and mental health. Additionally, they will be asked to fill out some additional forms and questionnaires.
• During the second visit, which will take place at the Brown MRI Research Facility, participants will complete an fMRI scan. During the scan, they will be asked to complete a computer task.

Why is this being done?

This study will help us to learn more about how the brain functions in OCD, particularly when a person is making decisions. A great deal of work has been done over the past several decades to better understand how the brain functions in OCD. While scientists have learned a lot in this time, there is still more to learn. It is our hope that by gaining a better understanding of how the brain works in OCD, we (and other researchers) may be able to use this information to develop new treatment options for OCD in the future.