Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Inclusion Criteria

• Primary diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder, with residual OCD symptoms, defined as a total Y-BOCS score of ≥ 16, despite treatment with an adequate trial of a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI), and a duration of the index episode of at least a year will be included. An adequate SRI trial is defined as treatment for at least 12 weeks on the SRI, that meets or exceeds the recommended dosage level for OCD (fluoxetine 60 mg/d, sertraline 200 mg/d, paroxetine 50 mg/d, fluvoxamine 250 mg/d, citalopram 60 mg/d, escitalopram 30 mg/d).
• Individuals who cannot tolerate medications of class and dose at the specified duration as described above will also be included.
• Patients currently on OCD medication must be at the same stable dose(s) and must continue to be under the care of their treating psychiatrist who will be writing prescriptions for concomitant medications through the duration of the study.

Exclusion Criteria

• Refractory patients, where treatment refractoriness is defined as non-response to Clomipramine, at least 2 SSRIs at adequate dose and duration plus cognitive behavior therapy in the last year, will be excluded. An adequate trial of cognitive behavioral therapy is defined as at least once a week for 8 weeks with clear evidence of exposure during the sessions and homework given. Individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (current) of moderate or severe intensity (CGI ≥ 4), and those with bipolar disorder (lifetime), any psychotic disorder (lifetime), history of substance abuse or dependence within the past year (except nicotine and caffeine), and at significant acute suicide risk will also be excluded.

Other exclusion criteria include those common to every TMS protocol:

• Individuals with a clinically defined neurological disorder, with an increased risk of seizure for any reason, with a history of treatment with TMS, deep brain stimulation for any disorder will be excluded.
• Patients with cardiac pacemakers, implanted medication pumps, intracardiac lines, or acute, unstable cardiac disease, with intracranial implants (e.g. aneurysm clips, shunts, stimulators, cochlear implants, or electrodes) or any other metal object within or near the head, excluding the mouth, that cannot be safely removed will be excluded.
• Current use of any investigational drug will not be permitted.
• If participating in psychotherapy, patients must have been in stable treatment for at least three months prior to entry into the study, with no anticipation of change in frequency therapeutic sessions, or the therapeutic focus over the duration of the TMS trial.
• Finally, current significant laboratory abnormality, known or suspected pregnancy, women who are breast-feeding or women of childbearing potential not using a medically accepted form of contraception when engaging in sexual intercourse will also be excluded.