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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JD to open largest-ever flagship store in Manchester this weekend
Daisy Jackson
The countdown is on to the grand opening of JD’s brand-new flagship store, with the sports fashion brand preparing to open in the Trafford Centre in Manchester on Saturday 7 June.
The new store will be JD’s biggest ever, delivering world-class shopping experiences that will ‘serve the community and redefine what’s possible’.
JD was born right here in Greater Manchester, first opening in Bury in 1981, and has gone on to be a leader in sports fashion and lifestyle retail.
With this new flagship store, shoppers will be able to discover the hottest drops from global sportswear giants like Nike, adidas, On Running and PUMA, plus JD exclusives like Unlike Humans.
The landmark new opening will be celebrated in a big way this weekend at the Trafford Centre, with none other than eight-time Olympic gold medallist and world record holder Usain Bolt attending the grand unveiling.
Then there’ll be the chance to win prizes, shop rare and sought-after sneakers, and get items customised.
The new JD store officially opens its doors tomorrow – Saturday 7 June – from 10am, with loads of exciting experiences planned.
JD to open largest-ever flagship store at The Trafford Centre in Manchester this weekend
Usain Bolt will be in store, with select fans having the opportunity to show off their running skills in front of the fastest man on the planet.
Lucky shoppers will be put into teams to race for prizes, and will have the chance to try and beat Bolt’s record on the Puma Nitro 100 metre spring challenge.
YouTube giants Beta Squad will also be there throughout the opening morning, bringing their energy and humour live and direct.
Meanwhile, Nike is bringing the ‘Nike AM95: The Vault’, giving sneakerheads a chance to get their hands on a sold-out OG Heat product.
At exactly 1.10pm – a throwback to the ‘110s’ nickname – there’ll be the OG Mandarin up for grabs, along with a limited run of the OG Pink Foam, which will be on sale from doors opening at 10am.
A glimpse of the largest JD store in the world
Crep Protect will be hosting demos and giveaways; Unlike Humans will be there with their ice cream truck serving matcha and vanilla mochi; and you can get any Unlike Humans item you buy customised by Matt B Customs for free.
James Air, Director of Group Acquisitions at JD, commented: “This new store at Trafford Centre is set to be a true statement of intent. It’s our biggest, boldest space to date – and it’s happening in the city where our journey began.
“This is JD at its very best: fashion-forward, community-focused, and pushing the boundaries of retail.
“And JD’s opening at Trafford Centre isn’t just about creating a dynamic new shopping destination – it also brings new jobs to the area, reinforcing the brand’s ongoing investment in the local communities it serves, which is at the heart of JD’s mission.”
Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, said: “We’re incredibly proud to welcome the world’s largest JD to Trafford Centre. This mammoth, flagship store is a game-changer, not just for Manchester but for retail as a whole.
“With expert staff on hand, immersive displays and bespoke services, the new JD store will be a destination in its own right – promising an incredible in-store experience.”
JD’s new flagship store has been fuelled by the brand’s Forever Forward mission that propels youth culture forward.
Expect groundbreaking releases, creative partnerships and cutting-edge cultural experiences.
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JD will open its flagship store at the Trafford Centre in Manchester on Saturday 7 June from 10am.
There’s a new summer terrace in town with a weekend spritz happy hour
Daisy Jackson
There’s a new summer terrace in Greater Manchester that’s the ideal spot to soak in some rays – and enjoy a few discounted spritzes while you’re there.
Over on Chapel Street – just across the river from Manchester Cathedral – you’ll find Embankment Kitchen, which has opened up its terrace for the season.
This stylish spot is part of the CitySuites aparthotel, and has a menu rooted in the warm spirit of Northern hospitality.
It’s worth a visit all year round for their seasonally-focused, local-as-possible menus, but the summer terrace at Embankment Kitchen is a real added bonus in spring and summer.
And following that spell of absolutely glorious weather, they’re opening up two hours earlier every day too for maximum sun-soaking from 2pm.
At Embankment Kitchen you can tuck into a drinks and nibbles menu from 2pm until 5pm, and Happy Hour drinks deals from 4pm until 7pm.
That means two-for-one cocktails, plus discounted wines, prosecco and beers – an ideal post-work haunt.
Cocktails at Embankment Kitchen in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSmall plates on the Embankment Kitchen terrace. Credit: The Manc Group
It’s usually almost impossible to find a happy hour in Manchester at weekends, but these guys are doing two-for-£12 spritzes every Saturday and Sunday between 12pm and 4pm, with flavours including Aperol, Hugo, and limoncello.
Drinks on the menu include signature cocktails that are inspired by the city’s industrial roots, like The Emmeline, Manchester Exchange (a take on an old fashioned), and the Atomic Zombie, as well as classic cocktails such as an espresso martini, limoncello negroni, amaretto sour, and strawberry daiquiri.
As for nibbles, tuck into treats like garlic bread, edamame beans with smoked salt, garlic and parmesan fries, salt and pepper tater tots, and halloumi fries.
Surrounded by lush plants and gigantic parasols, it’s hard to believe you’re just across the river in Salford when you’re soaking up the sun at Embankment Kitchen. To find out more, head HERE.
Danny Jones -
16th November 2023 
