Task Control Circuit Targets for Obsessive Compulsive Behaviors in Children

Summary

This study will use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the function and structure of overlapping task control circuits in children with a range of Obsessive-Compulsive symptoms (OCS). The functioning of task control circuits will be assessed using the well-validated Multisource interference task (MSIT). This study will also assess functional and anatomical connectivity within task control circuits in the same children, and determine whether disturbances in these overlapping circuits are associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) symptom severity. Behavioral measures will be administered to further assess regulatory, learning and memory functions. Children with OCD will then be offered a standard course of up to 12 cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), either via remote video conference sessions or in person visits when clinically indicated, before scanning (along with age-and gender-matched control participants) in order to assess how these circuits may change with treatment. Children with subclinical OC symptoms will be offered referral for treatment on an as-needed basis. In addition, de-identified data may be used in the future to conduct secondary data analyses. As more about OC symptoms and neurobiological mechanisms of interest in the current study are understood, data may be used to answer questions beyond those described in this protocol. All study procedures will be conducted on-site at Columbia University/the New York State Psychiatric Institute (New York, NY) and the University of Michigan's outpatient Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Ann Arbor, Michigan).

Conditions

• Obsessive-compulsive Disorders and Symptoms in Children

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The treatment team will offer a course of up to 12 cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) (45 minute sessions for 12 to 16 weeks), augmented by medication treatment when clinically indicated based on the clinical treatment standards. Due to Covid, therapy sessions are offered via remote video conference (in clinic sessions made available if clinically indicated). Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a treatment based on learning and cognitive theories. CBT for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) involves gradually exposing patients to anxiety provoking stimuli while having patients refrain from engaging in compulsive rituals and/or avoidance behaviors. There are three major components of CBT treatment for OCD, specifically: (1) exposure to anxiety provoking stimuli, (2) response prevention, and (3) cognitive techniques intended to decrease anxiety during the exposure and response prevention processes.

OTHER

Community Referral as appropriate

Participants with Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms will be referred to the community for treatment

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Columbia University

  collaborator OTHER

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  collaborator NIH

• University of Michigan

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

6 Years

Max Age

14 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-03-24

Primary Completion

2023-06-03

Completion

2023-06-03

Countries

• United States

Study Locations