OCDNCT07704632
Safety and Feasibility of FUS Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH) to Perform Neuromodulation in Patients With Treatment Refractory Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
A study testing Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH) in people with OCD and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), run by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
This study evaluates the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation delivered using the Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH) in participants with treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 85 years
- Conditions the study is for
- OCD, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- What is being tested?
- Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH)
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 23 Sep 2025to Sep 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 85 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Must be deemed to have the capacity to provide informed consent.
- Age 18 to 85 years.
- Diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder according to DSM-5 criteria.
- Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale total score greater than 22.
- If taking psychiatric medications, must be on a stable regimen for at least 30 days before enrollment. Psychiatric medications will be continued throughout the study.
- Previous trial of at least two first-line antidepressant agents at an adequate dose and duration, as assessed by two psychiatrists.
- Previous trial of cognitive behavioural therapy or psychotherapy for OCD for at least 6 weeks.
Who cannot join
- Pregnant or intending to become pregnant during the study.
- Substance use disorder, other than cannabis or nicotine use disorder, of moderate severity or greater, or where the substance is the primary substance of concern, according to DSM-5 criteria.
- Known active seizure disorder or significant head injury with an imaging-confirmed lesion.
- Unstable medical illness.
- Not eligible for 3-Tesla MRI, such as due to an MRI-incompatible pacemaker or other implanted device.
- Unable to reliably attend the required screening, treatment, and follow-up visits.
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- Severe claustrophobia that would prevent MRI scanning.
- History of a bleeding disorder or coagulopathy.
- Anticoagulant therapy or use of medications known to increase the risk of hemorrhage within the required washout period before treatment, including:
- Antiplatelet agents or vitamin K antagonist anticoagulants within 7 days of treatment
- Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants within 72 hours of treatment
- Heparin-derived compounds within 48 hours of treatment
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Canada1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5
Anusha Baskaran, PhD, 416-480-6100 ext. 61650, anusha.baskaran@sunnybrook.ca
About this study
Official title: Assessment of Safety and Feasibility of FUS Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH) to Perform Neuromodulation in Patients With Treatment Refractory Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
This study evaluates the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation delivered using the Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH) in participants with treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Participants will undergo two study sessions, four weeks apart, involving active FUS neuromodulation targeting nodes of the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CTSC) circuit. Outcomes include adverse events, changes in OCD symptom severity, and quality of life.
Read the detailed description
This study is designed as a prospective, single arm, nonrandomized study aiming to evaluate safety and tolerability of transcranial focused ultrasound neuromodulation targeting CTSC circuit nodes (including VC/VS, STN, ACC, OFC, and caudate nucleus).
Twenty participants with treatment-refractory OCD will be enrolled. Each participant will receive two treatment sessions (4 weeks apart)
- Being tested
- Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH)
- Keywords
- Focused ultrasound (FUS), MRgFUS, FUS Neuromodulation
- Medical subject headings
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH)Device
Participants will receive two sessions of Magnetic Resonance-guided focused ultrasound neuromodulation, spaced four weeks apart, using the Next Generation Dome Helmet device. Treatments will target regions within the CSTC circuit identified by advanced MRI scans. Each session will include pre-treatment assessments, precise sonications of deep brain structures, real-time safety monitoring, and post-treatment imaging.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation | Experimental | Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation: Participants will receive two sessions of Magnetic Resonance-guided focused ultrasound neuromodulation targeting regions within the cortical-striatal-thalamic circuit (CSTC) implicated in treatment-resistant depression. Treatments will be spaced four weeks apart. All participants will receive the same intervention and will be followed for 4 weeks post-treatment to evaluate clinical outcomes, adverse events, and depression symptoms. Receives: Device: Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Safety and Feasibility of FUS Neuromodulation in Participants With Treatment-Refractory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Assessment of the frequency and severity of adverse events associated with focused ultrasound neuromodulation in patients with treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder. Adverse events, including procedure-related complications and neurological events, will be documented and assessed.
Measured: Assessments will be conducted at the baseline visit; on the day of each of the two treatments; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.
Secondary outcomes (7)
Change in Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Severity Measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)
Evaluate the effectiveness of FUS Neuromodulation in reducing obsessive-compulsive symptom severity using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS). The Y-BOCS is a clinician-administered scale assessing the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Total scores range from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity (0-7 subclinical, 8-15 mild, 16-23 moderate, 24-31 severe, and 32-40 extreme).
Measured: Assessments will be conducted at baseline; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.
Change in Quality of Life as Measured by the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q)
Quality of life will be assessed using the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q). The Q-LES-Q is a self-report measure assessing quality of life across multiple domains. Total scores are typically transformed into a percentage of the maximum possible score, with higher percentages indicating greater life satisfaction and functioning. Change from baseline will be evaluated at each assessment time point.
Measured: Assessments will be conducted at baseline; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.
Change in Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms as Measured by the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (OCI)
The Obsessive Compulsive Inventory is a self-report measure used to assess obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity. Change from baseline will be evaluated at each assessment time point.
Measured: Assessments will be conducted at baseline; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.
Change in Anxiety Symptoms as Measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is a 21-item self-report scale assessing the severity of anxiety symptoms. Total scores range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety severity (0-7 minimal, 8-15 mild, 16-25 moderate, and 26-63 severe anxiety). Change from baseline will be evaluated at each assessment time point.
Measured: Assessments will be conducted at baseline; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.
Change in Anxiety Symptoms as Measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)
The GAD-7 is a 7-item self-report questionnaire used to assess generalized anxiety symptoms. Total scores range from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating greater anxiety severity. Scores of 5, 10, and 15 represent commonly used thresholds for mild, moderate, and severe anxiety, respectively. Change from baseline will be evaluated at each assessment time point.
Measured: Assessments will be conducted at baseline; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.
Change in Patient-Reported Outcomes Using Likert Scales (1-9)
A brief set of 1-9 Likert scales will be used to assess patient-reported symptoms and subjective experiences. Scores range from 1 to 9, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity or impact. Change from baseline will be evaluated at each assessment time point.
Measured: Assessments will be conducted at baseline; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.
Change in Depressive Symptoms as Measured by the 17-Item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17)
The HAMD-17 is a clinician-administered scale used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms. Total scores range from 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptom severity. Change from baseline will be evaluated at each assessment time point.
Measured: Assessments will be conducted at baseline; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Jul 2026
- Study start23 Sep 2025
- Primary completionSep 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionSep 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for OCDStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentreThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Dr. Nir Lipsman, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07704632
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 6791
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 10 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 15 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Assessment of Safety and Feasibility of FUS Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH) to Perform Neuromodulation in Patients With Treatment Refractory Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07704632
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 6791
- Keywords
- Focused ultrasound (FUS), MRgFUS, FUS Neuromodulation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences CentreUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 23 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Sep 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Sep 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study evaluates the safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of focused ultrasound (FUS) neuromodulation delivered using the Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH) in participants with treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Participants will undergo two study sessions, four weeks apart, involving active FUS neuromodulation targeting nodes of the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CTSC) circuit. Outcomes include adverse events, changes in OCD symptom severity, and quality of life.
Detailed description
This study is designed as a prospective, single arm, nonrandomized study aiming to evaluate safety and tolerability of transcranial focused ultrasound neuromodulation targeting CTSC circuit nodes (including VC/VS, STN, ACC, OFC, and caudate nucleus).
Twenty participants with treatment-refractory OCD will be enrolled. Each participant will receive two treatment sessions (4 weeks apart)
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation | Experimental | Device: Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH)Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation: Participants will receive two sessions of Magnetic Resonance-guided focused ultrasound neuromodulation targeting regions within the cortical-striatal-thalamic circuit (CSTC) implicated in treatment-resistant depression. Treatments will be spaced four weeks apart. All participants will receive the same intervention and will be followed for 4 weeks post-treatment to evaluate clinical outcomes, adverse events, and depression symptoms. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 85 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Must be deemed to have the capacity to provide informed consent.
- Age 18 to 85 years.
- Diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder according to DSM-5 criteria.
- Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale total score greater than 22.
- If taking psychiatric medications, must be on a stable regimen for at least 30 days before enrollment. Psychiatric medications will be continued throughout the study.
Key exclusion criteria (12 listed)
- Pregnant or intending to become pregnant during the study.
- Substance use disorder, other than cannabis or nicotine use disorder, of moderate severity or greater, or where the substance is the primary substance of concern, according to DSM-5 criteria.
- Known active seizure disorder or significant head injury with an imaging-confirmed lesion.
- Unstable medical illness.
- Not eligible for 3-Tesla MRI, such as due to an MRI-incompatible pacemaker or other implanted device.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH)Participants will receive two sessions of Magnetic Resonance-guided focused ultrasound neuromodulation, spaced four weeks apart, using the Next Generation Dome Helmet device. Treatments will target regions within the CSTC circuit identified by advanced MRI scans. Each session will include pre-treatment assessments, precise sonications of deep brain structures, real-time safety monitoring, and post-treatment imaging. | Device | Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation |
Primary outcome
Safety and Feasibility of FUS Neuromodulation in Participants With Treatment-Refractory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Time frame: Assessments will be conducted at the baseline visit; on the day of each of the two treatments; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.
Assessment of the frequency and severity of adverse events associated with focused ultrasound neuromodulation in patients with treatment-refractory obsessive-compulsive disorder. Adverse events, including procedure-related complications and neurological events, will be documented and assessed.
7 secondary outcomes
Change in Obsessive-Compulsive Symptom Severity Measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)
Time frame: Assessments will be conducted at baseline; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.
Change in Quality of Life as Measured by the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q)
Time frame: Assessments will be conducted at baseline; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.
Change in Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms as Measured by the Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (OCI)
Time frame: Assessments will be conducted at baseline; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.
Change in Anxiety Symptoms as Measured by the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
Time frame: Assessments will be conducted at baseline; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.
Change in Anxiety Symptoms as Measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)
Time frame: Assessments will be conducted at baseline; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.
Change in Patient-Reported Outcomes Using Likert Scales (1-9)
Time frame: Assessments will be conducted at baseline; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.
Change in Depressive Symptoms as Measured by the 17-Item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17)
Time frame: Assessments will be conducted at baseline; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Next Generation Dome Helmet (NGDH) in people with OCD and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), run by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre at 1 site in Canada.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 12 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Canada. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Nir Lipsman, MD, PHD, FRCSC, FAANS ((416)-480-6954, Nir.Lipsman@sunnybrook.ca), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Safety and Feasibility of FUS Neuromodulation in Participants With Treatment-Refractory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (time frame: Assessments will be conducted at the baseline visit; on the day of each of the two treatments; 24 hours after each treatment; at 1 and 2 weeks after each treatment; and 4 weeks after the second treatment.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Jul 2026.