SEEG-Guided DBS for OCD
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The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Know the risks and potential benefits of clinical studies and talk to your health care provider before participating. Read our disclaimer for details. |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05623306 |
Recruitment Status :
Not yet recruiting
First Posted : November 21, 2022
Last Update Posted : February 10, 2023
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Condition or disease | Intervention/treatment | Phase |
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder | Device: PMT Stereoencephalography (SEEG) Device: Vercise Genus™ Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) System | Not Applicable |
Study Type : | Interventional (Clinical Trial) |
Estimated Enrollment : | 10 participants |
Allocation: | Randomized |
Intervention Model: | Crossover Assignment |
Intervention Model Description: | Stage 1: Invasive SEEG Monitoring and Recovery Stage 2: SEEG-guided DBS Implantation and Optimization of DBS Programming Stage 3: Randomized Sham-controlled Crossover Trial |
Masking: | Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator) |
Primary Purpose: | Treatment |
Official Title: | A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Crossover Trial of Stereoencephalography- Guided Multi-Lead Deep Brain Stimulation for Treatment-Refractory Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (SEEG-Guided DBS for OCD) |
Estimated Study Start Date : | March 15, 2023 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | March 1, 2024 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | January 1, 2027 |

Arm | Intervention/treatment |
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Experimental: SEEG Guided DBS ON-OFF (Stimulation-Sham)
Patients in the ON-OFF arm will first be treated for up to 12 weeks with the parameters identified during the DBS optimization phase until the washout period.
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Device: PMT Stereoencephalography (SEEG)
For Stage 1 of this study, we will be implanting depth electrodes to record stereoencephalography across a network of brain regions. Device: Vercise Genus™ Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) System For Stages 2 and 3 of this study, we intend to use the DBS system to treat patients with severe symptoms of chronic, treatment-refractory OCD by targeting stimulation to sites that have been determined to have therapeutic benefit during our SEEG Invasive Monitoring phase. |
Sham Comparator: SEEG Guided DBS OFF-ON (Sham-Stimulation)
Patients in the OFF-ON will have their devices turned off and will not have their device switched on (activated) until the crossover point.
|
Device: PMT Stereoencephalography (SEEG)
For Stage 1 of this study, we will be implanting depth electrodes to record stereoencephalography across a network of brain regions. Device: Vercise Genus™ Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) System For Stages 2 and 3 of this study, we intend to use the DBS system to treat patients with severe symptoms of chronic, treatment-refractory OCD by targeting stimulation to sites that have been determined to have therapeutic benefit during our SEEG Invasive Monitoring phase. |
- Primary Feasibility Endpoint #1 - OCD Relevant Network [ Time Frame: 14 days ]Percentage of patients in which an OCD relevant network can be identified during SEEG Stage 1
- Primary Feasibility Endpoint #2 - Stimulation Target That Acutely Improves OCD Symptoms [ Time Frame: 14 days ]Percentage of patients in which we can identify a stimulation target that acutely improves OCD symptoms during SEEG Stage 1
- Primary Feasibility Endpoint #3 - Willingness to Continue with DBS Stage 2 [ Time Frame: Day 14 ]Percentage of patients willing and able to continue with the DBS Stage 2 after completing the SEEG Stage 1
- Primary Feasibility Endpoint #4 - Acute Symptomatic Improvement [ Time Frame: Approximately 60 weeks ]Percentage of implanted DBS sites associated with both acute symptomatic improvement during the SEEG Stage 1 and therapeutic benefit during the DBS Stage 2.
- Primary Efficacy Endpoint - Treatment Response [ Time Frame: Up to 24 weeks ]Treatment response, determined by the difference in Y-BOCS II score between the active stimulation (ON) condition and sham control (OFF) condition
- Primary Safety Endpoint - Serious Adverse Events [ Time Frame: Approximately 4 years ]Number and type of serious adverse events in this SEEG-guided 4-lead DBS approach compared to conventional DBS for OCD.

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Ages Eligible for Study: | 22 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | All |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- ≥ 22 years and ≤ 65 years of age, at the time of screening
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Chronic (> 5 years preceding the date of enrollment) OCD, diagnosed as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition guidelines (DSM-5)
- Presence of obsessions, compulsions, or both
- Time-consuming obsessions and compulsions that take more than one hour a day or cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning
- Obsessive-compulsive symptoms that are not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g. a drug of abuse, a medication) or another medical condition
- Disturbance not better explained by the symptoms of another mental disorder listed in the DSM-5
- Severe OCD symptoms, as defined by Y-BOCS I score of ≥ 28, within two weeks prior to enrollment
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Lack of adequate response to a history of the following treatments, based on information from any of the following: (a) the current treating physician and/or psychologist; (b) medical records or other forms of communication from previous healthcare providers; and (c) pharmacy records, as determined by the Principal Investigator
- Adequate trial of ≥ 2 selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for an adequate duration at the maximum dose recommended for OCD or at the maximally-tolerated dose according to the FDA-approved package labeling
- Adequate trial of ≥ 1 augmentation trial using an antipsychotic medication
- Adequate trial of clomipramine, either as monotherapy or as an augmentation therapy, unless medically contradicted
- Adequate trials of cognitive behavior therapy-based Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
- Willingness and ability to remain on the same daily dose of any and all scheduled psychotropic medication(s) for at least 8 weeks prior to study enrollment and for the duration of the trial, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator
- Willingness and ability to discontinue any psychotherapeutic behavioral intervention therapy (e.g. CBT) until the maintenance stage, if determined safe by the research/study psychiatrist
- Study participation in the prospective subject's best psychiatric interest, as determined by the research/study psychiatrist and based on a comprehensive assessment that includes the following: (a) detailed psychiatric history; (b) examination of the mental status; (c) review of psychiatric assessment measures obtained to determine eligibility, as applicable; (d) review of previous medical records for a minimum of 2 years prior to enrollment, or as applicable; and (e) consideration of the potential benefits versus risks of study participation
- Agreement to being evaluated by a licensed psychiatrist and/or psychologist at regular intervals, as required by the schedule of events, for the duration of study participation
- Living within 6 hours of driving distance from study sites and no plan of relocation for at least the duration of the trial (approximately 18-24 months), as reported by the prospective subject or a family member
- Adequate social support, including but not limited to, stable housing and two family members and/or friends, who are identified as a verifiable emergency contacts
- Willingness and ability to provide at least two verifiable contacts for emergency purposes and to permit verification of emergency contacts by research staff before all study visits and as needed, at the discretion of the Principal Investigator
- Ability to understand procedure-related instructions and to complete study assessments in English, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator
- Willingness and ability to comply with protocol requirements (e.g. procedure visits, treatment schedule, follow-up visit schedule, evaluations, etc.), in the opinion of the Principal Investigator
- Willingness and ability to provide written agreement to allow any and all forms of communication between the research team and treating clinician(s)
- Willingness and ability to provide informed consent, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator
Exclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosed, according to the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), as suffering from any other primary psychiatric diagnosis defined in the DSM-5, including Hoarding Disorder
- In the opinion of the Principal Investigator and relative to the date of enrollment, (a) current or past diagnosis of, or medical history/records suggestive of, a DSM-5 defined Personality Disorder, considered to be severe; or (b) history of hospitalization because of Borderline Personality Disorder
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Present clinical secondary diagnosis of any of the following, as defined in the DSM-5 and based on the MINI and the psychiatric evaluation:
- Bipolar I Disorder or Bipolar II Disorder
- Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or Binge Eating Disorder
- Psychotic Disorder or Mood Disorder with psychotic features
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Current suicidal risk, as determined by the research/study psychiatrist using the brief mental status exam and the psychiatric interview (including the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale [C-SSRS]), or significant suicide risk, defined as Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-21) Item 3 score of ≥ 3 or any lifetime history of suicide attempt
a. Subjects who answer 'Yes' to questions 3, 4, or 5 of the C-SSRS will be excluded.
- Treatment, within 24 months of screening, for any of the following: dependency on, addiction to, use of, abuse of, or overuse of any illicit substance(s), including alcohol, but not including nicotine or caffeine
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History of head trauma associated with any of the following:
- Loss of consciousness for > 5 minutes
- A residual effect(s) that failed to resolve completely at least 1 year prior to the date of screening
- An abnormality on a neuroimaging study (MRI, CT Scan) that was/is attributable to the head trauma
- > 1 head injury within the past 2 years which were diagnosed as a concussion, concussive-type or traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to medical records or as reported by the prospective subject or a family member
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Any of the following permanent implants:
- Cardiac implant (e.g. pacemaker or any intracardiac lines, implanted neurostimulators, shunts)
- Brain implant (e.g. intracranial implant, aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators, cochlear implants, or electrodes)
- Implanted medical pumps
- Diathermy treatments requirement for any reason
- Hearing loss that, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, an audiologist, or a treating physician, is likely to affect the subject's ability to comply with all of the requirements of the study or may affect the integrity of the study data
- Any metal or metallic particles anywhere in the head, except in the inside of the mouth
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Pregnancy, at the time of screening or during the course of the study (i.e. 3 years)
a. Acceptable methods of contraception include the following: i. Established use of oral, injected or implanted contraceptives ii. Placement of an intrauterine device (IUD) or an intrauterine system (IUS) iii. Female sterilization (e.g. surgical bilateral oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy, total hysterectomy, tubal ligation) iv. Male sterilization, with the appropriate post-vasectomy documentation of the absence of sperm in the ejaculate v. True abstinence, when in line with the preferred and usual lifestyle of the subject b. Barrier methods of contraception, such as a condom, a diaphragm, or cervical/vault caps with spermicidal foam/gel/film/cream/suppository, and rhythm methods of contraception, although encouraged, alone are not considered acceptable forms or contraception.
- History of involuntary movements, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator or a neuro-radiologist
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History of excessive or prolonged bleeding and/or any of the following:
- INR of > 1.8
- Prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) of ≥ 45 sec
- Platelet count of < 75×100/L
- Allergy to gadolinium
- Inability to safely and successfully undergo an MRI or a CT Scan
- Any past or present medical condition, disease, disorder, or injury that, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, may reduce or hinder the subject's ability to fully comply with all study requirements for the duration of the study or may impact, compromise, or affect the integrity of the data or the results of the study
- Current participation in other research that may potentially interfere with DBS study objectives or with the ability to follow the timeline of this study, as determined by the Principal Investigator

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT05623306
Contact: Nida Firdous, MD, MS | 2158296720 | nida.firdous@pennmedicine.upenn.edu |
United States, California | |
University of California | |
San Francisco, California, United States, 94143 | |
Contact: Tenzin Norbu, CRC 415-502-5472 Tenzin.Norbu@ucsf.edu | |
Principal Investigator: Andrew Moses Lee, MD, PhD | |
United States, Pennsylvania | |
University of Pennsylvania | |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19106 | |
Contact: Nida Firdous 215-829-6720 nida.firdous@pennmedicine.upenn.edu | |
Contact: Marie Kerr 215-829-6720 Marie.Kerr@pennmedicine.upenn.edu |
Responsible Party: | Casey H. Halpern, M.D., Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Director of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT05623306 |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
851810 |
First Posted: | November 21, 2022 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | February 10, 2023 |
Last Verified: | February 2023 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | Yes |
Supporting Materials: |
Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: | No |
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: | Yes |
Compulsive Personality Disorder Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Personality Disorders Mental Disorders Anxiety Disorders |