Over the past few decades a lot has been learned about the nature of Tourette Syndrome (TS). This includes an increased understanding about the clinical manifestations, which includes not only tics, but also other behavioral difficulties, the most prominent being Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Family studies have also led to increased understanding about the inheritance of TS. Despite these advances in knowledge, the brain basis of TS and tics remains somewhat elusive. A variety of circumstantial evidence implicates specific brain systems in TS. In particular, deep brain structures, referred to as the basal ganglia, and interconnected regions of the frontal lobes have been implicated. These basal ganglia-frontal circuits (often referred to as frontal-striatal circuits) are known to be important in the control of movement. Damage to these circuits has been linked to a number of other “movement disorders†including Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. While most investigators believe that these frontal-striatal circuits are important in the generation of tics, direct evidence of this connection is lacking. Recent advances in techniques used to image activity within the nervous system provide an exciting and significant opportunity to investigate the brain regions involved in the generation of tics, and also to answer other questions that can provide insight into the neurologic basis of TS. In this study we will use functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) in children with TS to investigate those regions associated with the generation of tics. We will also use fMRI to examine brain activity associated with tasks previously observed to be impaired in TS. These are tasks for which frontal-striatal circuits play an important role. They will include preparing complex motor responses (e.g., sequential finger tapping), and inhibiting a behavioral response (i.e., stopping oneself from responding). This research study will provide further information and improved understanding about the brain regions involved in the generation of tics. We hope our data will also provide insight into differences in regional brain function in children with TS. Both of these findings should lead to greater understanding about the neurologic basis of TS. * This investigation is supported through a dedicated contribution to TS research from Evelyn and Frank Bloom, Harrisburg, PA. Stewart H. Mostofsky, M.D. Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD Award: $60,104 * This investigation is supported through a dedicated contribution to TS research from Evelyn and Frank Bloom, Harrisburg, PA. Tourette Association of America Inc. – Research Grant Award 2001-2002
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Motor Tics, Motor Response Preparation and Response Inhibition in Children with Tourette Syndrome
Grant Type
Clinical
Grant Year
2001-2002
Institution Location
MD
Institution Organization Name
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Investigators Name
Mostofsky, Stewart, MD