OCD sufferers needed for trial of new treatment

OCD is a debilitating mental health disorder that can cause patients to experience intrusive thoughts such as a fear of germs or unwanted sexual thoughts along with compulsive behaviours, including repetitive counting or checking, or excessive cleaning or hand washing.

Current treatment options for OCD include high doses of antidepressants, but around 40 per cent of patients receive only minimal relief from symptoms, and can experience side effects including anxiety, insomnia, nausea and sexual dysfunction.

Researchers from NICM Health Research Institute at Western Sydney University have received a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant to trial the use of an amino acid supplement N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) to determine if it is an effective treatment of OCD symptoms.

The study is part of a wider collaboration between researchers from NICM, Western Sydney University; Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne; and the Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Queensland.

Trial participants are being recruited in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Considered an emerging treatment in the field of psychiatric disorders, NAC has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and influences various neurochemicals within the brain.

It has already shown positive results in the treatment of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and in improving impulse control and reducing addictive behaviour for many patients, including those with cocaine or marijuana dependency.

A previous 16-week, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial conducted by the researchers in 2015, which involved 44 participants between the ages of 18-70, found that NAC had an effect in reducing compulsions in people suffering from OCD.

The new trial, which is already underway in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, will aim to recruit a larger sample size of 200 participants who will take NAC or a placebo over 24 weeks.

NHMRC clinical research fellow Jerome Sarris from NICM Health Research Institute said NAC was safe to use and showed much promise in the treatment of OCD. 

“OCD is a debilitating mental health disorder and the need remains for additional therapies to help people reduce their obsessions and compulsions,” Professor Sarris said.

“Our clinical trial is designed to look at people who are still unwell with OCD and who need to take medication,but the currently available medicines only provide a certain amount of relief.

“NAC targets a variety of neurochemical pathways which are indicated in a range of mental health disorders.

“If this trial proves successful, we may see NAC used as a standard additional treatment for people with OCD in the next few years.”

Professor Sarris urges anyone experiencing OCD symptoms to contact their GP, medical professional, or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

For more details about how to participate in the trial visit www.ocd-research.com