The aim of this project is to examine dopamine release in the brain by using a particular type of brain scan, positron emission tomography (PET). We propose that when PET scanning is performed, dopamine release will be relatively greater in subjects with Tourette Syndrome (TS) than in those without it. We know that associated disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder may occur together with Tourette Syndrome. In this study, we plan to correlate the presence of these disorders, as well as the severity of motor and vocal tics in TS with the levels of dopamine release in the brain. We will study whether the presence of these disorders and the severity of tics is related to greater dopamine levels in the brain. Sally Szymanski, D.O., Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions Baltimore, MD Award $30,000 Tourette Association of America Inc. – Research Grant Award 1996
Intrasynaptic Dopamine Release in Tourette Syndrome
Grant Type
Clinical
Grant Year
1996
Institution Location
MD
Institution Organization Name
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions
Investigators Name
Szymanski, Sally, DO