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Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
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.
- 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
- 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)




