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Protocol for Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with Symptom Provocation to Treat Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
Published on: November 25, 2025
Pregabalin augmentation in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder
Panagiotis Oulis1, Iraklis Mourikis, George Konstantakopoulos
1First Department of Psychiatry, Athens University Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Greece. oulisp@med.uoa.gr
International Clinical Psychopharmacology
|April 5, 2011
Summary
Adjunctive pregabalin shows promise for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in patients resistant to standard treatments. This open-label trial found pregabalin safe and effective in reducing OCD symptoms, suggesting a potential new therapeutic option.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Standard treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have limitations.
- There is a need for effective add-on therapies for treatment-resistant OCD.
- Pregabalin has demonstrated efficacy in other anxiety disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adjunctive pregabalin in patients with treatment-resistant OCD.
- To assess symptom improvement in OCD patients receiving pregabalin as an add-on therapy.
Main Methods:
- An 8-week open-label trial was conducted.
- 10 patients with treatment-resistant OCD participated.
- Patients received adjunctive pregabalin (225-675 mg/d) alongside existing treatments.
Main Results:
- Adjunctive pregabalin was well-tolerated by patients.
- Significant improvement in OCD symptoms was observed, measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale.
- Pregabalin demonstrated substantial efficacy as an augmentation agent.
Conclusions:
- Adjunctive pregabalin may be a safe and effective treatment for drug-resistant OCD.
- Pregabalin's mechanism may involve the inhibition of glutamatergic neurotransmission.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings.
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