The TAA has funded research that has led to breakthroughs in the medical understanding of Tourette Syndrome (TS) and other Tic Disorders in addition to the development of treatments to help our community thrive. While we are excited to continue to direct funds toward these important areas of inquiry, we’re also working to expand our research efforts with your support.
Learn more about the research we’re currently funding through the support of passionate individuals like you.
The TAA is the only national organization that focuses its research investments in TS and other Tic Disorders. This important research is carried out by leading Young Investigators focusing on TS, Tic Disorders, and associated conditions. When you invest in research, there is a clear and direct impact on the many lives of individuals impacted by TS and Tic Disorders. Below, meet 2025’s Young Investigators and their projects.
The cerebellum is an important part of the brain that helps control movement and may play a bigger role in TS than we realize. This study will look for common differences in the cerebellum’s brain circuits in children with TS compared to children without TS. In addition, this study will map features of the cerebellum that are unique to each child with TS, since every child has their own pattern of tics and influences that affect them. The goal of this research is to better understand how TS works in the brain and how it develops in children.
This study is designed to test a new, short telehealth program that provides education and support for caregivers of children with TS and other Tic Disorders. The goal is to see if the program is practical, useful, and well received by families. A team of specialists with expertise in tic treatment will work together on this pilot study. Because many families struggle to access behavioral treatment for tics, the study will also explore whether this program could serve as an effective first step to receiving care.
Currently, tics and the impact of TS is often tracked by using subjective and potentially inaccurate methods. This study will evaluate wearable devices that can automatically and precisely track motor tics to improve TS care and help set personal goals for therapy. The small, lightweight sensors will measure activity linked to the brain and muscles in real time and use software to spot patterns in tic behavior. By combining smart technology with data analysis, this project aims to improve understanding of how TS works in the brain and the muscles to better test how well treatments like behavioral therapy are working.
Many people with TS experience difficulties with decision-making and sensory processing. This can include making good choices when weighing pros and cons, as well as in sensory-seeking behaviors. This project studies how brain circuits that connect sensory areas and decision-making areas might play a role in these symptoms. Using mice with a known TS-linked gene, researchers will measure how this pathway works while the mice make reward-based choices and look for sensory stimulation. By learning more about how this circuit functions in individuals with TS, researchers can help develop new treatments.
