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Ketamine and Naltrexone for OCD Symptoms

This study is looking at how ketamine helps reduce symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Researchers want to understand if ketamine's effects are related to how it interacts with opioid systems in the brain. You might be eligible if you are 18-65 years old, have an OCD diagnosis, and have already tried at least one standard OCD treatment that didn't work. Participants will receive either ketamine, naltrexone (a medication that blocks opioid effects), or an inactive placebo pill. The main goal is to see how much OCD symptoms improve, as measured by a specific scale, from the start of the study up to one week after treatment. The study plans to enroll 150 people, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study that will include 150 participants. It is designed to be blinded, meaning you won't know if you are receiving ketamine, naltrexone, or a placebo.
What's involved
You will need to agree to certain lifestyle changes, including fasting before the experimental session. You also cannot join other clinical trials during this study.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your OCD symptoms will be measured from the start of the study up to one week after the infusion.

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NCT05940324

Examining Mu Opioid Mechanisms of Ketamine's Rapid Effects in OCD (MKET2)

Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 18–65InterventionalTreatment
Stanford University
~150 participants
Updated 2026-04-24 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:KetamineNaltrexone PillPlacebo pill

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in the severity of OCD symptoms as measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS)
Measured over Baseline (Visit 2) to Post Infusion fMRI scan (Visit 4; Day 1), up to 1 week

Conditions

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Explore related trials

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Who to contact

Pavithra Mukunda, MS
[email protected]
6504972578
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Ages 18-65
Meet the criteria for OCD diagnosis
Failed at least 1 prior trial of standard first-line OCD treatment
Agree to the following lifestyle modifications: comply with requirements for fasting prior to the Experimental Session, not enroll in any other interventional clinical trials during the duration of the study, and commit to medication study procedures.
Able to provide informed consent
Ages 18-65
Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion

prior naltrexone or ketamine use/exposure
Any current or past medical/psychiatric condition that makes participation unsafe in the opinion of the investigator or study physician
Pregnant or nursing, or able to become pregnant and are not practicing an effective means of birth control
the presence of metal in the body that is contraindicated for MRI scans
current or past use of psychotropic medication
pregnant or nursing females
the presence of metal in the body that is contraindicated for MRI scans

What this trial measures

  • Change in the severity of OCD symptoms as measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS)Baseline (Visit 2) to Post Infusion fMRI scan (Visit 4; Day 1), up to 1 week

    Change in OCD severity is measured by the YBOCS (Yale Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale), a gold standard measure of obsessions and compulsions. For the YBOCS the minimum units are 0 and Maximum units on the total scale are 40. The higher the number on the YBOCS, the more severe the symptoms. Response is defined as at least a 35% reduction on the YBOCS.