This study is being conducted to better understand the cognitive and brain processes that contribute to compulsive behaviors in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and to explore how these factors may influence response to treatment. The findings may help improve understanding of OCD and support the development of more effective treatment approaches.

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ages 18–55
• English-speaking
• Right-handed
• Have been diagnosed with OCD or suspect you may have OCD
• Able to complete remote therapy sessions from New York or New Jersey, or able to attend all therapy sessions in person

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently taking psychiatric medication
• Current tic disorder, hoarding disorder, eating disorder, or major depressive disorder
• Current or lifetime psychosis or bipolar disorder
• Current (past year) substance use disorder
• History of hospitalization due to suicidal thoughts and/or behaviors or an eating disorder
• Participation in a standard course of exposure and response prevention (17 or more sessions) within the past year
• Unstable or major medical condition, including pregnancy
• Imminent risk of suicide

Overall Duration

Participation in this study lasts about 10 weeks.

In-Person and Remote Activities

Before joining the study, participants will complete a phone screening and a remote evaluation to determine if the study is a good fit.

Participants will complete two in-person study visits at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

• Visit 1 (Week 1, about 3 hours):
  • Complete computer-based tasks that measure thinking and decision-making skills
  • Complete learning and memory tasks while wearing an electroencephalogram (EEG) cap, which records brain activity
  • Fill out questionnaires about thoughts, feelings, and symptoms
• Visit 2 (Week 10, about 2 hours):
  • Complete additional computer-based tasks while brain activity is recorded using EEG
  • Fill out follow-up questionnaires
  • If participants are diagnosed with OCD, they will also receive 17 sessions of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy, a specialized form of cognitive behavioral therapy for OCD. Therapy sessions will take place both remotely and in person over the 10-week study period.

Participants will also meet remotely with a study team member at the beginning, middle, and end of treatment to answer questions about their OCD symptoms. Each of these meetings lasts about 1 hour.

At-Home Activities

• Participants will complete questionnaires remotely throughout the study. These questionnaires take approximately 30–45 minutes to complete.

Participants may receive up to $200 for completing study activities.

There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.