The purpose of this TSA funded study is to evaluate the functioning of specific brain regions among patients with Tourette Syndrome by using eye movement performance measures. The brain regions involved in the control of eye movements are relatively well-known. That is why patterns of eye movement response (e.g., speed and accuracy) in subjects with dysfunction in particular brain regions, have helped scientists understand what parts of the brain might be working differently among subjects with various clinical disorders. The current study will focus on measurement of “saccades” – a specific type of eye movement. Saccades allow us to redirect our line of sight to objects of interest in the environment and are the fastest eye movements. The neurological underpinnings of saccadic eye movements are particularly well understood. One of our hypotheses is that performance differences between persons with and those without Tourette Syndrome on saccade tasks will help us better understand the neurological correlates of Tourette Syndrome. During the course of this study we will also be collecting eye movement data from persons with obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is well-known that patients with Tourette Syndrome have a remarkably high prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. These findings have led several researchers to suggest that the two disorders are genetically, and to some degree, neurologically related. Studies of eye movement performance among both patients with Tourette Syndrome and patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder will provide a means for evaluating the similarities and differences in brain functioning between these two groups. The investigation of eye movement performance among patients with Tourette Syndrome and related disorders will complement the findings of other researchers who are working to clarify the neurological characteristics of this condition. We hope that our research will contribute to the development of more effective clinical evaluations and treatments. We wish to thank the TSA for the opportunity to enhance our understanding of Tourette Syndrome, and for the resources they have provided for our research. Brett A. Clementz, Ph.D. University of California, San Diego, CA Award $23,543 Tourette Association of America Inc. – Research Grant Award 1995 The purpose of this TSA funded study is to evaluate the functioning of specific brain regions among patients with Tourette Syndrome by using eye movement performance measures. The brain regions involved in the control of eye movements are relatively well-known. That is why patterns of eye movement response (e.g., speed and accuracy) in subjects with dysfunction in particular brain regions, have helped scientists understand what parts of the brain might be working differently among subjects with various clinical disorders. The current study will focus on measurement of “saccades” – a specific type of eye movement. Saccades allow us to redirect our line of sight to objects of interest in the environment and are the fastest eye movements. The neurological underpinnings of saccadic eye movements are particularly well understood. One of our hypotheses is that performance differences between persons with and those without Tourette Syndrome on saccade tasks will help us better understand the neurological correlates of Tourette Syndrome. During the course of this study we will also be collecting eye movement data from persons with obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is well-known that patients with Tourette Syndrome have a remarkably high prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. These findings have led several researchers to suggest that the two disorders are genetically, and to some degree, neurologically related. Studies of eye movement performance among both patients with Tourette Syndrome and patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder will provide a means for evaluating the similarities and differences in brain functioning between these two groups. The investigation of eye movement performance among patients with Tourette Syndrome and related disorders will complement the findings of other researchers who are working to clarify the neurological characteristics of this condition. We hope that our research will contribute to the development of more effective clinical evaluations and treatments. We wish to thank the TSA for the opportunity to enhance our understanding of Tourette Syndrome, and for the resources they have provided for our research. Brett A. Clementz, Ph.D. University of California, San Diego, CA Award $23,543 Tourette Association of America Inc. – Research Grant Award 1995 The purpose of this TSA funded study is to evaluate the functioning of specific brain regions among patients with Tourette Syndrome by using eye movement performance measures. The brain regions involved in the control of eye movements are relatively well-known. That is why patterns of eye movement response (e.g., speed and accuracy) in subjects with dysfunction in particular brain regions, have helped scientists understand what parts of the brain might be working differently among subjects with various clinical disorders. The current study will focus on measurement of “saccades” – a specific type of eye movement. Saccades allow us to redirect our line of sight to objects of interest in the environment and are the fastest eye movements. The neurological underpinnings of saccadic eye movements are particularly well understood. One of our hypotheses is that performance differences between persons with and those without Tourette Syndrome on saccade tasks will help us better understand the neurological correlates of Tourette Syndrome. During the course of this study we will also be collecting eye movement data from persons with obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is well-known that patients with Tourette Syndrome have a remarkably high prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. These findings have led several researchers to suggest that the two disorders are genetically, and to some degree, neurologically related. Studies of eye movement performance among both patients with Tourette Syndrome and patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder will provide a means for evaluating the similarities and differences in brain functioning between these two groups. The investigation of eye movement performance among patients with Tourette Syndrome and related disorders will complement the findings of other researchers who are working to clarify the neurological characteristics of this condition. We hope that our research will contribute to the development of more effective clinical evaluations and treatments. We wish to thank the TSA for the opportunity to enhance our understanding of Tourette Syndrome, and for the resources they have provided for our research. Brett A. Clementz, Ph.D. University of California, San Diego, CA Award $23,543 Tourette Association of America Inc. – Research Grant Award 1995