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Carolyn Rodriguez, MD, PhD

Dr. Rodriguez utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to finding treatment for patients suffering from compulsive behaviors such as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and hoarding disorder. Her numerous studies aim to gain understanding of these behaviors at multiple levels of analysis (from molecule to behavior).

On the OCD front, Dr. Rodriguez is focusing on the ability of ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, to quickly and effectively quell obsessive thoughts. She is 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 therapy. She is also investigating the use of intranasal drug delivery for fast-acting treatments.

Dr. Rodriguez's research interests include understanding the underlying brain mechanisms involved in hoarding behaviors and how these differ from normal collecting behavior. In order to help individuals with hoarding disorder, Dr. Rodriguez is working with government agencies to test a novel treatment intervention consisting of skills-based group treatment targeting hoarding behaviors.

In addition to her research, Dr. Rodriguez also works to educate the public about compulsive behaviors and anxiety disorders by contributing to The Huffington Post on topics such as clutter, ketamine, and the science of fear.

Positions

Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University
Member, Stanford Neurosciences Institute
Director, Stanford Hoarding Disorders Research Program
Director, Rodriguez Lab

Education

MD, Harvard Medical School, Medicine
PhD, Harvard Medical School, Neuroscience, Genetics

Relevant Publications

Rodriguez, C. I., Kegles, L. S., Levinson, A., Feng, T., Marcus, S., Flood, P., Simpson, H. B. (2013). Randomized controlled crossover trial of ketamine in OCD: Proof of concept. Neuropsychopharmacology, 38(12), 2475-83.
Rodriguez, C. I., Bender, J., Morrison, S., Mehendru, R., Tolin, D., Simpson, H. B. (2013). Does extended release methylphenidate help adults with hoarding disorder? A case series. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 33(3), 444-7.
Rodriguez, C. I., Simpson, H. B., Liu, S., Levinson, A., Blanco, C. (2013). Prevalence and correlates of difficulty discarding: Results from a national sample of the U.S. population. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 201(9), 795-801.
Rodriguez, C. I., Kegeles, L., Flood P., Simpson, H. B. (2011). Rapid resolution of obsessions after an infusion of intravenous ketamine in a patient with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder. J of Clin Psychiatry, 72(4), 567-9.
Rodriguez, C. I., Bender, J., Marcus, S. M., Snape, M., Rynn, M., Simpson, H. B. (2010). Minocycline augmentation of pharmacotherapy in obsessive-compulsive disorder: an open-label trial. J of Clin Psychiatry, 71, 1247-1249.

Carolyn Rodriguez, MD, PhD

Positions

Education

Relevant Publications

Contributed Content

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