In women with Tourette Syndrome (TS) there can be marked changes in the severity of tics over the course of a menstrual cycle. These changes may arise from the changes in hormone levels that occur during this time. This is the first study designed to evaluate the impact of changing hormone levels on symptoms in women with TS. We will study 15 women with TS over the course of one menstrual cycle. Study subjects will be examined each week for one month, and their hormone levels measured at each visit. We will be looking specifically at the association between estrogen and progesterone levels and the severity of motor, vocal tics and behavioral measures. Our hypothesis is that during parts of the menstrual cycle, there may be an increase in TS symptoms which correlates with a reduction in blood estradiol. This project will provide valuable information about the course of Tourette Syndrome in women, and the effect that changing hormones has on their tics and behavior. In particular, this study may allow for a better understanding of the specific manifestations of TS in women, and thus in an improvement of our ability to treat TS symptoms in this group. Katie Kompoliti, M.D. Cynthia L. Comella, M.D. Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago, IL Award $25,000 Tourette Association of America Inc. – Research Grant Award 1996
Menstrual Related Fluctuations in Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome
Grant Type
Clinical
Grant Year
1996
Institution Location
IL
Institution Organization Name
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Med. Ctr
Investigators Name
Kompoliti, Katie, MD