Stanford Translational OCD Program

Director: Carolyn Rodriguez, MD, PhD
Contact Name: Andrea Varias
Rodriguez Lab
401 Quarry Road
Stanford, California 94305
Description:

The Stanford Translational OCD program, directed by Dr. Carolyn Rodriguez, utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to finding treatments for patients suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and related disorders. Our studies aim to gain understanding of these behaviors at multiple levels of analysis (from molecule to behavior).
On the OCD front, we are focusing on the ability of ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, to quickly and effectively quell obsessive thoughts. We are using a variety of imaging techniques to observe the effects of ketamine on neurotransmitter systems and brain activity in human patients, as well as investigating the benefits of combining ketamine administration with other treatments (medications, therapy).

We collaborate with local community partners to develop novel treatment interventions consisting of skills-based group treatment targeting hoarding behaviors and with health educators to share these programs with the community.

Our program partners with the OCD Clinic, co-founded in 1989 by Dr. Lorrin Koran who ran the Center
for over 20 years. Now under the direction of Dr. Elias Aboujaoude, the Clinic is a specialized referral center, drawing from patients from Northern, Central, and Southern California. We also partner with the Psychosocial Treatment Clinic, which offers individual, group, couples, and family therapy.

OCD Specialists At This Clinic: