Researchers are looking for participants to test a potential new treatment for OCD
Volunteers taking part will be reimbursed for their time (including reasonable travel costs) and may be offered the study medication free of charge for 48 weeks.
A leading clinical research organisation is running a clinical trial to test a potential new medication for people living with OCD.
According to the NHS, it is estimated that a quarter of a million people are living with OCD in the UK at some point in their lives, that’s equivalent to 12 in every 1,000.
This number increases drastically when we consider those who haven’t received a diagnosis who could be living with OCD symptoms and not receiving the professional support they may need or understand why they are experiencing intrusive thoughts.
Dr Alex Worthington, Clinical Research Physician at MAC Clinical Research, explains that “obsessive-compulsive disorder, commonly referred to as OCD, is a mental health condition with three main parts: obsessions, emotions, and compulsions.
For #OCDWeek, we wanted to highlight some statistics and information to raise awareness of #OCD.
If you have OCD and are having little to no response to your current antidepressant treatment, you may be eligible to take part in a clinical trial.
“Obsessions are persistent thoughts, images, doubts, worries, or urges that intrude on an individual’s mind, despite being unwanted.
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“These thoughts can cause significant mental discomfort or anxiety. Some of the emotions felt due to intrusive thoughts can include guilt, depression, and disgust.
“Compulsions refer to repetitive behaviours that an individual engages in to temporarily alleviate the anxiety caused by the obsession. Examples of compulsions include checking if a door is locked multiple times or repeating certain phrases mentally.”
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There’s a need for more effective treatment options for OCD, which is why award-winning clinical research organisation, MAC Clinical Research is conducting a clinical trial to test a potential new treatment that is hoped to reduce OCD symptoms and ultimately improve quality of life.
Here at MAC, our OCD clinical trial is open for people struggling with OCD symptoms.
Eligible participants will receive up to £490 plus reasonable travel expenses.
If you or someone you know has been living with OCD or OCD symptoms, and provided you meet the overall criteria, you could be reimbursed up to £490 for your time and participation in the clinical trial plus reasonable travel expenses.
If the treatment works, you may be able to receive nearly a year’s worth (48 weeks) of the medication free of charge as part of an open-label extension study.
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You can find out more and register your interest HERE.
As explained in the summary for this clinical trial, “people with OCD tend to have signalling pathways in the brain which are overactive, causing intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviour or other OCD symptoms.
“Previous clinical trials suggest that the study medication works to dampen down these overactive pathways which may help people with OCD when used in combination with their usual antidepressant medication.”
The study is expected to run for approximately five months. The trial itself will involve taking the oral medication or a placebo daily for ten weeks alongside seven visits to the clinic for check-ups to examine if your OCD symptoms improve and how well you are coping with taking the medication.
As part of International OCD Awareness Week, MAC also looked intohow the condition affects people in the workplace and answered some of the public’s pressing questions surrounding the disorder with one of the organisation’s leading psychiatrists, Dr David Gregory.
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One of MAC’s leading psychiatrists sheds light on OCD treatment.
To ensure optimal safety, each study participant must meet a pre-determined set of eligibility criteria. To be eligible for the trial, you need to:
Be aged between 18-65
Have had OCD symptoms or an OCD diagnosis for at least 1 year that affects daily life.
Be taking an antidepressant for your OCD that isn’t fully helping.
To ensure optimal patient safety, participants must not have any of the following:
Bipolar, schizophrenia, autism, Tourette’s, or other psychiatric conditions
Diagnosed with an eating disorder.
Have diabetes that requires insulin.
Other criteria will apply.
If you want to learn more about MAC Clinical Research or if you’re considering being part of the clinical trial, you can learn more and register your interest by visiting their OCD research webpage.
For #OCDWeek, we wanted to share what some of our clinical trial participants said made them want to take part in OCD clinical research with MAC.
Featured Image — MAC Clinical Trial/The Manc Group
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Be part of the biggest Great Manchester Run ever
Danny Jones
Runners and regular Mancs alike, start lacing up your trainers and sorting safety pins early, because the Great Manchester Run is back for 2026, and you can be part of it.
With sign-ups flying and bibs selling out fast, we really recommend getting a move on and booking your place now to make sure you’re part of what is, without fail, not just one of the most exciting dates on the local sporting calendar, but always a great day for the city in general.
Returning for its 23rd edition and fourth year being backed by principal sponsors, AJ Bell, we can assure it’ll be as well-attended as ever.
In fact, judging by the numbers already and the increasing crowds of spectators every year, this is looking on course to be the biggest Great Manchester Run to date.
The only question is, are you going to help make it the BEST yet by joining the thousands of others already finding the perfect spot to hang their shiny new medal?
Half-marathon, 10k, junior and mini races
As ever, the Great MCR Run isn’t just limited to one event: there are multiple distances, routes and age groups that can race the route in and around the city centre.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day
So, whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day, there really is fun for all ages.
In all seriousness, even watching the massive metropolitan event stood next to the roads with homemade signs promises plenty of atmosphere, but with fancy dress galore, various different activations in the middle of the city, there’s not a chance you’ll get bored.
Even in the years we’ve missed out on running it ourselves (it sold well in advance last year, for instance), the pure buzz we got from joining countless other Mancs cheering from the pavement is enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
All that being said, if you’re looking to sort the perfect Christmas present for a runner, or simply need more reason to give yourself the kick up the backside you’ve been waiting for and just put your name down, this is it.
Besides the full annual marathon in April, running events simply don’t get bigger in this region than this one, so don’t miss out.
Sign up for the 2026 Great Manchester Run right HERE.
Featured Images — Great Run Company/AJ Bell (supplied)
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A candlelit Queen tribute concert is returning to Manchester
Danny Jones
Yes, you read that right: a candlelit concert dedicated to the one and only Queen, with a spectacular West End Cast and a talented live rock band, is coming to Manchester city centre in January.
In fact, it’s coming home, as this wonderful event started right here in 0161 back in 2021.
Concerts by Candlelight themselves host concerts up and down the country at various points throughout the year, but their much-loved ‘Queen by Candlelight‘ special knows all about lighting up Manc venues.
Having since gone on to become an internationally acclaimed live concert experience, we’re glad we still get to see the ‘Princes of the Universe’ on our doorstep.
Credit: Concerts by Candlelight (supplied)
With the likes of Bridgewater Hall and the magical Manchester Monastery all having played host to the promotion on many ocassions, this time Queen by Candlelight is coming to the legendary Manchester Opera House in the new year.
One of our most historic and legendary theatres, it’s only fitting, really, that they be chosen to welcome a night of equally iconic tunes.
But it’s worth reminding more casual fans that these aren’t just British rock and pop anthems; Queen‘s discography is one that still has global recognition to this day.
That’s why this specific show has been taken to virtually every corner of the world, with the incredibly talented cast of singers and musicians delighting audiences in Dubai, Australia, New Zealand and New York, to domestic crowds here in town and down in London’s West End.
‘Queenies’ or ‘Darlings’, as Freddie Mercury used to call them, can expect all the big hits, from ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘We Are The Champions’, to ‘It’s a Kind of Magic’ and ‘Who Wants to Live Forever’ and plenty more from the back catalogue.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store this coming January:
With tickets already flying out fast, we really would recommend securing your seats early before they inevitably sell out.
To quote the promoters themselves, “this spectacular celebration of Queen’s biggest hits is guaranteed to rock you.”
Coming to the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday, 6 January, you can book your tickets for Queen by Candlelight right HERE.
And if you’ve never been to one of their candlelit events before, you only need to see how much of a ball we had at their country event earlier this year to find out how much fun they are…
Danny Jones -
16th November 2023 
