Personalized Brain Stimulation Surgery for Severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Plain-English translation of NCT05160129 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated June 2026 · Translation generated July 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This study tests a more precise form of deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery for severe obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD. Instead of using a standard approach, doctors will create a personalized brain map for each patient before surgery to identify the best location for the implanted stimulation device. The goal is to make the treatment work better and cause fewer side effects.

Current DBS surgery for OCD helps some patients, but results vary widely between people, and the standard approach doesn't account for differences in individual brain anatomy. This trial aims to improve outcomes by targeting the specific brain pathways in each patient's brain that are most likely to respond to treatment.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are 18 years old or older
you have been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) that meets standard diagnostic criteria
you have had OCD for at least five years and it significantly interferes with your daily life
you have tried and failed at least three different SSRI antidepressants and have also tried clomipramine or combination treatments
you have completed at least 25 hours of specialized cognitive behavioral therapy with an expert therapist
you have an OCD symptom severity score of at least 25 on a standardized assessment scale

You likely don't qualify if…

you are unable to have general anesthesia or brain surgery for medical reasons
you have a cardiac pacemaker or other implanted electrical device that may interfere with the stimulation device
you have a neurological condition such as a stroke, brain tumor, epilepsy, or significant brain shrinkage
you have a primary psychiatric diagnosis other than OCD, such as schizophrenia or a history of psychosis
you require blood-thinning medications that cannot be safely stopped before and after surgery

What participation looks like

If you qualify, you will have detailed brain imaging before surgery to plan your personalized treatment. You will then undergo surgery to implant the stimulation device, which involves placing thin electrodes in a specific brain region and connecting them to a small battery-like device placed under your collarbone. After surgery, you will have regular clinic visits to adjust the stimulation settings and monitor how you're doing, plus brain activity recordings and behavioral tests at several points over the first year.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 2, 2026 · Not medical advice

Personalized Brain Stimulation Surgery for Severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)