Neurofeedback From the Supplementary Motor Area for Tourette Syndrome

Launched by YALE UNIVERSITY · Sep 23, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new treatment approach for Tourette Syndrome in adolescents aged 10 to 16. The goal is to see if a special type of brain training called neurofeedback, which uses real-time brain imaging, can help reduce tics in young people. Participants will be divided into two groups: one group will receive neurofeedback that targets a specific area of the brain known to be involved in movement, while the other group will receive neurofeedback from a different brain region for comparison.

To be eligible, children must be diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome or chronic tic disorder and have active tics that don’t require moving their heads. They should also be stable on their current medication and live within two hours of Yale Medical Center. Participants will need to attend several visits for assessments and brain scans, and they should be able to understand spoken English. It’s important to note that certain health conditions may exclude them from participating, such as having significant medical issues or certain mental health diagnoses. This trial offers a promising opportunity to explore a new way to help manage tics in adolescents.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Boys and girls, 10 to 16 years of age
• • A current diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome (TS) or chronic tic disorder (CTD), with active tics that can be executed without head movement, and a YGTSS score of at least 13 (for TS participants) or at least 12 (for CTD participants)
• • Currently stable medication treatment and no planned changes in medication for the duration of the study.
• • Family residence within 2 hours of Yale Medical Center with ability and willingness to attend assessment and fMRI visits.
• • Children and their parents are expected to be able to speak and understand spoken English in order to participate in a clinical assessment of TS and related psychopathology.
• • Subjects will be free of: 1) metal medical implants or braces, 2) pregnancy, and will have 3) a body weight of less than 250 lbs. and 4) no claustrophobia.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Intelligence quotient below 80
• • Current diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, bipolar or psychotic disorder or current suicidality
• • Significant medical condition such as heart disease, hypertension, liver or renal failure, pulmonary disease, seizure disorder
• • Recently initiated psychotherapy. Participation in the study will not be allowed within 8 weeks of the initiation of psychotherapy. Ongoing, concurrent psychotherapy (that was initiated at least 8 weeks previously) for the child will be allowed, but parents will be asked not to initiate any new psychotherapy for the child during the study
• • Subjects may also be excluded after the first MR scan if we are unable to localize the two regions in their brain that are used as targets for the active and control neurofeedback conditions.