Augmenting Agent for OCD Treatment Blocks Another Augmenting Agent

D-Cycloserine does not seem to add much to exposure and response prevention — and, in patients taking antidepressants, may even worsen response.

D-cycloserine (DCS), a coagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, facilitates fear extinction in some anxiety disorders by promoting new associations. To determine whether DCS would facilitate fear extinction during exposure and response prevention (ERP) treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Swedish investigators studied 128 adults with OCD (mean duration, 18 years) undergoing 12 weeks of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Patients were randomized to 50 mg of DCS or placebo 1 hour before five ERP sessions. The internet-based CBT, assisted remotely by therapists, was previously shown to be as effective as in-person treatment for OCD. Thirty-seven patients were taking antidepressants.

Mean decreases in OCD rating-scale sc…

Reviewing Author

Steven Dubovsky, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportTower Foundation; Patrick Lee Foundation; Boehringer Ingelheim; Intra-Cellular Therapies; Janssen; Biogen; Allergan

Editorial BoardsMind and Brain; Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic; Current Psychiatry; Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Steven Dubovsky, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportTower Foundation; Patrick Lee Foundation; Boehringer Ingelheim; Intra-Cellular Therapies; Janssen; Biogen; Allergan

Editorial BoardsMind and Brain; Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic; Current Psychiatry; Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Augmenting Agent for OCD Treatment Blocks Another Augmenting Agent

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Reviewing Author