Speaker Bio
Dr. Hokanson is a psychiatrist who works with adolescents, young adults, women, and people of color who would benefit from a holistic mental health healing approach. She has a background in medicine, business management, and quality improvement. Dr. Hokanson attended medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and completed psychiatry residency at Yale University Department of Psychiatry where she was a Program-wide Chief Psychiatry Resident and Chief Resident of the Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit. She is an integrative psychiatry institute fellow and as well as completed training in the MAPS-sponsored MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of PTSD. Currently, Dr. Hokanson is Yale University research study psychiatrist for Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of OCD and Depression and Director of Operations for Yale Program for Psychedelic Science.
ICPR 2024 Abstract
Effects of single-dose psilocybin with non-directive support in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A case series analysis of non-responders in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Background: To date, no study has presented data of non-responders to psilocybin for OCD. We will present our case series analysis of non-responders from a single-site study investigating the safety and clinical effects of psilocybin on OCD with a randomized (1:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled design.
Methods: We compared single-dose psilocybin (0.25 mg/kg) vs. active placebo (250 mg niacin) in this trial. Non-directive psychological support was provided by facilitator pairs during preparatory, dosing, and integration visits. We recruited 26 adult participants with a primary diagnosis of OCD, a Y-BOCS score of at least 19, and failure of at least one trial of standard-of-care treatment for OCD. Efficacy was evaluated on the AY-BOCS and self-reported VAS at the primary endpoint of 48 hours post-dosing, and other measures up to 12-week follow-up. Safety was assessed by monitoring AEs, C-SSRS, vitals, SUDs, and medication changes.
Results: To date, four of our participants who received psilocybin did not experience a clinically significant change in their OCD symptoms as measured on the YBOCS at primary endpoint. An analysis of subjective report during preparatory, dosing, and integration sessions by these non-responders yielded themes including an enmeshed identity with OCD, OCD offering safety, security, and stability in perceiving others and the world, and OCD serving as a “protector” in the aftermath of trauma.
Conclusion: Continued investigation of the mechanisms underlying treatment non-response is crucial for refining therapeutic approaches and optimizing outcomes in challenging cases.