The TAA supports research studies to improve the quality of life for those affected by Tourette Syndrome.
For information on clinical trials, visit our Clinical Trials page.
To list an IRB-approved study on this page, please submit your study via the instructions below. Please note that TAA can only receive requests for posting directly from the study sponsor.
TAA Young Investigator Award Projects
Help awardees of the TAA Young Investigator Award research grant advance understanding of TS with their projects. Click the plus sign (+) below to learn more about each study and how to participate.
Impacts of TS-related Stigma on Mental Health - TAA Young Investigator Awardee Project
If you volunteer and are eligible, you are invited to participate in a UCLA research study to examine your lived experiences, especially your stigma experiences and other difficulties that may affected your physical, mental, and social health. Eligible participants who volunteer are asked to complete three 45-60-minute online surveys over a period of a year. In return for your time you will receive an Amazon e-gift card via email each time we receive your survey (up to 3). You will be paid a total of $60 for all 3 surveys.
Interested? Call or email Dr. Chengshi Shiu/Rachel Arbing at 310-602-9022 or email cshiu@sonnet.ucla.edu/rarbing@sonnet.ucla.edu. A brief eligibility screening will be conducted by telephone or online. You will not be paid for the eligibility screening. Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your services/relationship with the Tourette Association of America or UCLA.
PATH Study - TAA Young Investigator Awardee Project
The PATH Study is unique because it started at the Treating Tourette Together gathering in 2019 when people living with TS expressed concern about how their goals can be different from standard treatment outcomes. Goals impact patient-provider relationships and how well treatment works. Dr. Emily Wilton is interviewing and listening to participants–and, ultimately, seeing how patient goals can be a bigger part of treatment outcomes. UMN is excited to be able to reach people from all over the country living with TS by doing all the interviews and assessments virtually.
For the PATH Study, they want to learn more about why people seek treatment for tics, how well commonly-used treatment outcomes address patient goals, and how to better describe patient goals as treatment outcomes.
UMN is looking for people who are currently seeking treatment or who have been in or are currently in treatment. “Treatment” means recommended therapies such as CBIT, medication, and transcranial stimulation (TMS). People are eligible if they:
Are aged 9 or older
Have had chronic motor and/or vocal tics for at least 1 year
Are seeking an appointment for tics OR have had prior treatment for tics
Are fluent in English
Participants will complete consent forms, surveys, and an interview to assess tic symptoms, the impact of tics on daily life, and treatment goals and experiences. Some participants will be offered a follow-up assessment 3-6 months later. Interviews and assessments are conducted online and are expected to take 2 hours. All participants will be monetarily compensated for their time.
Fill out the interest form or contact ticlab@umn.edu
Open Research 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.
Genetic and molecular studies of developmental neuropsychiatric disorders associated with cognitive and behavioral impairment - Yale School of Medicine
About the study: Your family has been invited to be part of a study of families in which a child has Tourette syndrome and/or related disorders such as chronic vocal or motor tics and his/her parents do not. The purpose of this study is to identify the genetic factors that cause Tourette Syndrome and tics using a family-based approach. This will greatly contribute to our understanding of Tourette Syndrome and may help develop new therapies in the future. This study requires participation from a child and both biological parents, can be done in-person or remotely, and participation will be compensated with a $100 Amazon gift card for the family. We are not able to offer you a report of your genetic results because our studies are performed as research. Our research lab does not offer any treatment.
Romantic relationships in youth with Tourette Syndrome
LOTS Study - Washington University in St. Louis
Unraveling the Tapestry of Tourette's: A Lifespan Exploration of Women's Unique Experiences and Challenges - University of Tennessee & Vanderbilt University
The purpose of the research study is to increase scientific and professional knowledge with the goal of improving treatment, quality of life, and understanding of the unique experiences of women with Tourette’s or Persistent/Chronic Tic Disorders.
Currently seeking participants who identify as a female with Tourette’s Syndrome or a Persistent/Chronic Tic Disorder (motor or vocal).
Tic Clips - University of Minnesota
Tic Clips is an online research study being conducted by the Minnesota Tic and Compulsivity Lab (MnTiC) at the University of Minnesota. We are conducting Tic Clips to better understand what tics look and feel like for a wide variety of individuals. We hope to use this information to create a tool that can help identify tics and eventually improve the process of getting a tic diagnosis.
Participating in Tic Clips involves filling out a consent form, completing online tic questionnaires and submitting two short video/audio recordings of yourself. It takes 30-40 minutes to complete Tic Clips. Participants have the opportunity to repeat the study monthly for up to one year. Participants with usable video data are compensated with a $10 amazon gift card for an initial submission and a $5 amazon gift card for a second submission.
To get started, please first take 5 min to join our research registry by filling out our consent from and demographics survey here. If you are eligible to participate in Tic Clips, you will automatically be sent the link to get started. If you have any questions please contact us at ticlab@umn.edu.
Submit a Research Study 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 fill out the form below. Our team will review and then get in touch with any questions before listing your opportunity.
