Obsessive-compulsive disorder affects about 1 in 40 adults in the U.S. Standard treatment combines therapy (especially exposure and response prevention) with medications like SSRIs, but many people don't get enough relief. Research is now testing drugs that work on different brain pathways and refining brain stimulation approaches.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing glutamate-targeting drugs that may work faster than SSRIs, psychedelics combined with therapy, new uses for ketamine and related compounds, and refined deep brain stimulation for severe cases. Researchers are also studying how the immune system and gut bacteria might influence OCD symptoms.
Glutamate modulators
Drugs targeting the glutamate system, including troriluzole and other compounds, may reduce OCD symptoms through a different mechanism than SSRIs. Early trials suggest some people respond within weeks rather than months.
Psychedelic-assisted therapy
Psilocybin and other psychedelics are being tested alongside therapy for treatment-resistant OCD. Small studies show rapid symptom drops in some participants, though durability remains unclear.
Deep brain stimulation
Refined DBS techniques target specific brain circuits involved in OCD. Trials are testing personalized targeting and adaptive stimulation that adjusts based on brain activity patterns.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on OCD severity (measured by Y-BOCS score), whether you've tried SSRIs or therapy, and how long symptoms have been stable on current treatment.
What types of trials are currently open
- Medication trials — Testing new drugs, often targeting glutamate or serotonin pathways, against placebo or existing SSRIs. May require stopping current medications.
- Psychedelic trials — Testing psilocybin or other psychedelics combined with therapy, usually for people who haven't responded to standard treatment.
- Brain stimulation trials — Studies of deep brain stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), or other neuromodulation approaches for severe OCD.
- Therapy trials — Testing variations of exposure therapy, often combined with new medications or delivered through digital platforms.
- Biomarker studies — Following people with OCD to identify brain imaging patterns, blood markers, or genetic factors that predict treatment response.
Recently added OCD trials
SONATA Dose Duration LIFU for OCD
This study is testing a new, non-invasive brain stimulation approach for adults with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Researchers are evaluating the safety, tolerability, and target engagement of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) directed at a brain region called the subthalamic nucleus (STN). The ultrasound is delivered using a wearable device called ATTN201 (developed by Attune Neurosciences).
TMS + Exposure Therapy for Pediatric OCD: Second Phase
The goal of this clinical trial is to test transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for improving the outcomes of Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP) in youth and young adults with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Researchers will compare two groups: ERP with active ("real") TMS vs. ERP with sham ("fake") TMS. The first phase of this study found that active TMS+ERP normalized functioning in brain circuits that contribute to compulsive behavior. This second phase will test whether TMS-induced brain changes lead to improvements in OCD symptom severity. Participants will: * Complete clinical interviews, questionnaires, and computerized tasks * Complete two MRIs (brain scans) * Receive daily TMS followed by ERP for two weeks (10 sessions)
Find OCD trials matched specifically to you
Answer 3 quick questions and we'll show you trials that fit your situation.