Volunteers wanted for OCD study

The search is on for volunteers to participate in a brain-imaging study on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Participate in this important study and receive a picture of your brain to take home with you.

The Cross-University Brain-Behaviour Initiative (CUBBI) of the University of Cape Town & MRC Unit on Anxiety & Stress Disorders, University of Stellenbosch, aims to investigate the effects of a chemical agent (escitalopram) on a person’s thinking patterns and emotional responses, as determined by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

 It also aims to find out more about the role of specific polymorphisms in certain candidate genes that contribute to the development of OCD, OCD related/spectrum disorders (i.e. trichotillomania, or TTM) or other anxiety disorders (i.e. panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder), via analysis of candidate genes of patients from South Africa. 

 Four “types” of volunteers are needed for participation:

1) Right handed persons (aged between 18 and 65 years) diagnosed with OCD, who are not currently using psychiatric medication, or who are willing to stop taking such medication for the duration of their participation;

2) right handed persons (aged between 18 and 65 years) diagnosed with TTM, who are not currently using psychiatric medication, or who are willing to stop taking such medication for the duration of their participation;

3) healthy right handed first-degree relatives (aged between 18 and 65 years) of persons diagnosed with OCD; and 
 
4) healthy right handed persons (aged between 18 and 65 years) without any psychiatric disorder.

 Participation involves attendance of 3 sessions, with the first session comprising of an interview, filling out of questionnaires and taking a blood sample for genetic analysis.

Information remains confidential

During the subsequent two sessions a brain scan, with the once-off administration of escitalopram (20mg) beforehand, is done. In addition, participants complete a number of neuropsychological tasks in the form of computerised games.

Afterwards, the participant also completes a few simple behavioural (also computerised) tasks.  All procedures are carefully explained by the investigators.

Participant information will be kept confidential.

If you think you are up to the challenge, and want to contribute to this study, please contact:  

Prof Christine Lochner (Tel: 021 - 938 9179, e-mail: cl2@sun.ac.za) or Bryony Fell (Tel: 021 - 938 9762, e-mail: bfell@sun.ac.za) for more information. 

After participation, you will receive a picture of your brain to take home with you!