Cumulating evidence has shown that PANS is associated with inflammation, dysregulation of immune cells, and importantly for this proposal, autoimmunity. Key inhibitors of autoimmunity are regulatory T cells (Tregs), a… Read more »
A good enough intervention: Testing brief online self-help treatment modules for clinical perfectionism
Clinical perfectionism, a common feature of OCD, leads to problems when individuals set extremely high standards for themselves and harshly criticize themselves for not meeting those standards. This can result… Read more »
Transcranial magnetic stimulation effects on urge suppression in obsessive-compulsive disorder using individualized targeting of the postcentral gyrus: A proof-of-concept investigation
OCD is usually associated with fear-based obsessions leading to compulsions, however, many individuals with OCD report uncomfortable urge sensations that drive their compulsions (e.g. overwhelming and uncomfortable feeling of contamination… Read more »
Obsessive-compulsive symptoms in African American young adults: The roles of racial discrimination and racial identity
Past research has shown that people with OCD experience worsened symptoms when under stress. Some stressors are unique to distinct identities and statuses in a larger society. For African Americans… Read more »
Active avoidance of threat cues and fear extinction in obsessive compulsive disorder
Past research has shown that we can learn to be afraid of things that we encounter, and that we can also modify our fears through exposure. New research has shown… Read more »
A virtual reality study of cognitive biases in body dysmorphic disorder
Previous research has found that people with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) often assign negative interpretations to neutral or benign social interactions, and may believe that others are judging them or… Read more »
Neural mechanisms of avoidance in exposure and response prevention for OCD
Many patients with OCD who successfully complete ERP treatment experience life-changing improvements in their OCD symptoms. However, as many as 40-50% of patients do not experience a significant recovery. Dr…. Read more »
Celecoxib as an adjunct to treatment as usual in childhood-onset OCD: A double-blind randomized controlled trial
PANDAS/PANS is associated with neuroinflammation that leads to sudden and acute OCD symptoms developing in children, seemingly overnight. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like celecoxib (brand name “Celebrex”) are increasingly recommended… Read more »
Circadian rhythm changes as a predictor of OCD symptom severity and outcome in residential treatment
Problems with sleep — in particular a delayed sleep cycle where a person falls asleep late at night and wakes up in the late morning or early afternoon — have… Read more »
Intervening on loneliness to reduce object attachment in hoarding disorder: Two randomized controlled pilot studies
People with hoarding disorder (HD) experience strong emotional attachment to their possessions, and extreme difficulty and distress when throwing things away. This can lead to excessive collecting of possessions, with… Read more »