Neural Mechanisms of Response Inhibition Training for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Related Conditions
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Summary
The impaired ability to suppress an inappropriate but pre-potent response (response inhibition; RI) characterizes several debilitating clinical problems, including obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRD) such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, trichotillomania, and skin picking disorder. There is a critical need to develop an effective and durable treatment for OCRDs with demonstrable evidence for improving impaired RI. The purpose of our project is to examine the impact of a novel computerized intervention, response inhibition training (RIT), on neural indices of RI, and examine the mechanistic link between engagement of the neural RI targets and change in OCRD symptoms. To this end, this project will conduct a randomized clinical trial for individuals with OCD, trichotillomania, and/or skin picking disorders. Participants will be randomly assigned to 8 to 16 sessions of computerized RIT or a computerized placebo training. Various clinical, behavioral, and brain-imaging data will be acquired to evaluate the training effects at baseline, post-training, and 1-month follow-up periods.
Description
Research has documented abnormal inhibition-related brain activity as well as impaired behavioral performance of RI in OCRD. Despite the growing evidence suggesting a RI deficit as a fundamental process in OCRD, no validated treatment exists that can directly alter RI deficits and in turn ameliorate OCRD symptoms. It is vital to develop a highly specific intervention that precisely engages a theoretically and empirically well-grounded target such as RI deficits, to significantly improve the efficacy of our intervention efforts. The overarching goal of this study is to examine whether the compu…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * age between 18 and 60 * moderate level of OCRD symptoms (Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale total ≥ 16, Massachusetts General Hospital-Hair pulling Scale total ≥ 12, or Skin Picking Scale-Revised total ≥ 7) * a primary diagnosis of OCRD (i.e., OCD, TTM, or SPD) * estimated IQ \> 80 * presence of a RI deficits (SSRT ≥ 215ms). Exclusion Criteria: * Current substance use disorder * Severe ADHD * Lifetime diagnosis of psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia * Current psychotherapy * Change in psychotropic medication status within 8 weeks before the study…
Interventions
- BehavioralComputerized cognitive training
This intervention offers 45-minute computerized training sessions to each participant. This intervention aims to improve the individual's RI capabilities. All participants will receive 8 to 16 sessions after being randomized to this condition.
- BehavioralComputerized placebo training
This intervention offers 45-minute computerized placebo cognitive training sessions to each participant. This intervention aims to exert no focused training on RI capabilities. All participants will receive 8 to 16 sessions after being randomized to this condition.
Location
- UWM Anxiety Disorders LaboratoryMilwaukee, Wisconsin