The TAA supports clinical research and clinical studies to improve the quality of life for those affected by Tourette Syndrome. The studies below are listed for informational purposes only and are not being conducted by TAA, nor is any relationship being claimed between TAA and the study teams by virtue of their inclusion on this list.
Visit www.clinicaltrials.gov for a more comprehensive list of opportunities to participate in research studies in your area.
To list an IRB-approved study on this page, please submit your study via the form below. Please note that TAA can only receive requests for posting directly from the study sponsor.
Open Clinical Studies for Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders
The following studies are open and actively recruiting participants. Please see the description associated with each study to learn more about what is being investigated. Each study’s description also includes either an external link (which will take you away from our TAA website) or contact information, should you wish to participate in a study.
Click the plus sign (+) below to learn more about each study.
Ecopipam Phase 3 D1AMOND Study
Emalex Biosciences – Various sites
Many of our Centers of Excellence are participating sites for a research study called the Phase 3 D1AMOND study, conducted by Emalex Biosciences. This study includes children and adolescents who are at least 6 years old and adults who have Tourette Syndrome (TS). This study is evaluating a study drug called ecopipam to find out how it works over time and how safe it is in people with TS. A study drug is one that is being investigated and has not yet been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or other regulatory agencies around the world for use by the general public. Tourette Syndrome affects millions of children, adolescents, and adults around the world. The currently approved therapies for this condition can sometimes have unwanted side effects. The Phase 3 D1AMOND study hopes to find out whether ecopipam is a better alternative for TS because it is designed to function differently than currently approved therapies. To learn more about this study and potential eligibility for participation, please visit this link.
Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Tics (MBIT)
Johns Hopkins Medical University
In response to the critical need for new safe, efficacious, and accessible treatment options for adults with TS, our team (Drs. Reese and McGuire, and Mr. Brown) will be conducting a large, NIH-funded clinical trial to test a Mindfulness-based Intervention for Tics (MBIT) in 150 adults with TS who have moderate or greater tic severity. In the pilot clinical trial, funded by the TAA, Dr. Reese compared group MBIT to group psychoeducation, relaxation, and supportive therapy (PRST) in adults with TS. Both interventions were delivered remotely to improve the accessibility of care. MBIT was found to be feasible, acceptable, and efficacious for reducing tic severity and impairment relative to PRST. This intervention and its remote group delivery approach offer a practical, scalable, and sustainable solution that hopes to improve therapeutic outcomes for adults with TS. Individuals with TS interested in participating and/or therapists interested in referring patients with TS to the study should contact our study team for further details or go on the website to learn more about eligibility for participation.
Teal Study: Modeling Tic Change During Behavior Therapy for Tics
University of Minnesota
The purpose of the TEAL study is to examine the role of tic controllability in pre to post-treatment tic severity change and therapeutic change process with Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT). This study will examine dynamic change patterns that are associated with treatment response. Mapping out these changes over time will inform the field’s understanding of the mechanism of change underlying CBIT in order to improve treatment outcomes.
Participants will undergo behavioral and clinical assessments prior to starting treatment, right after completing treatment, and three post-treatment assessments.
Participants undergoing TEAL treatment can expect to complete eight weekly in-person CBIT sessions over 14 weeks at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. At each CBIT session, there will be a Tic Suppressing Task that will be completed. Each CBIT visit is expected to take 1 hour.
Participation will take place over 28 weeks (7 months).
All participants will be compensated for their time.
The TReC Study
University of Minnesota
The purpose of the TReC study is to identify who is most likely to benefit from CBIT, how CBIT changes the brain,, and which parts of CBIT sessions are more helpful. This study will look at changes in tics over the course of treatment. By using neuroimaging methods such as EEG and fMRI, this study will add to the field’s understanding of the neurological mechanisms that take place during CBIT and will assess which CBIT factors are more important for reducing tic symptoms.
Participants will undergo behavioral and clinical assessments prior to starting the CBIT treatment, right after completing treatment, and three months after their last treatment visit. Participants will also undergo an EEG and MRI before and after completing their CBIT sessions.
Participants will complete eight weekly in-person CBIT sessions over 10 weeks at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. Participants will complete a brief Tic Suppression Task at each session. Each CBIT visit is expected to take 1 hour. Overall, participation will take place over 27 weeks.
All participants will be compensated for their time.
Additional Studies
- A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Mediterranean Diet Adherence in Tourette Syndrome Children Compared to Healthy Age-Matched Controls
- Genetic and molecular studies of developmental neuropsychiatric disorders associated with cognitive and behavioral impairment
- Language development in children with Tourette Syndrome
- Romantic relationships in youth with Tourette Syndrome
- LOTS study (Washington University in St. Louis)
- CBIT + TMS (University of Minnesota)
- How the brain responds to CBIT (UC San Diego)
Submit a Clinical Trial for Inclusion
Is your team conducting a study or trial that focuses on Tourette Syndrome or Tic Disorders and would like us to list it here? Thank you for your work! Please submit the form below or send study information (including a copy of an institutionally reviewed and approved research proposal, any relevant informed consent forms, and approved advertisements/flyers) to [email protected]. Our team will review and then get in touch with any questions before listing your opportunity.
