What is the mechanism of action of this treatment?

The most common treatments for Tourette Syndrome often involve modulation of brain activity to improve motor control and reduce tics. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) targets specific brain regions, such as the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA), which is involved in controlling unwanted movements. By using magnetic fields to stimulate these areas, TMS aims to enhance the brain's ability to regulate motor functions and inhibit tics. This is crucial for Tourette Syndrome patients as it directly addresses the neurological basis of their symptoms, potentially leading to improved quality of life and better management of tics.

What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Tourette Syndrome, particularly when targeting the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA), has been studied for its potential to improve motor control. Common side effects of TMS include mild headaches, scalp discomfort at the stimulation site, tingling, and muscle twitching. Serious adverse events are rare but can include seizures, especially in individuals with a predisposition to epilepsy. Overall, TMS is considered a relatively safe non-invasive treatment option, but further studies are needed to fully understand its efficacy and safety profile in Tourette Syndrome.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

The FDA has approved several treatments for Tourette Syndrome, primarily focusing on medications such as antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol and pimozide) and alpha-2 adrenergic agonists (e.g., clonidine and guanfacine). While Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is being studied for its potential to modulate the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) to improve motor control in Tourette Syndrome, it has not yet received FDA approval specifically for this condition. TMS is, however, approved for other neurological and psychiatric conditions, indicating its potential utility in neuromodulation for Tourette Syndrome in the future.

What other types of research exist?

Promising novel alternatives to TMS for Tourette Syndrome patients include Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), which has shown efficacy in modulating brain circuits involved in motor control. Additionally, Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (TNS) is emerging as a potential treatment, with studies indicating improvements in ADHD symptoms, which may translate to benefits for Tourette Syndrome. Complementary approaches like neurofeedback are also being explored for their potential to improve motor control and reduce tics.

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Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Repetitive TMS for Tourette Syndrome

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Steve W. Wu, MD

Research Sponsored by Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Tourette Syndrome

Be younger than 18 years old

Must not have

Epilepsy

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 30 minutes after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (as it takes about 30 minutes to complete the modified slater-hammel stop signal task)

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial uses TMS, a procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate brain cells, to help patients with Tourette Syndrome control their unwanted movements. The treatment targets a specific brain area involved in movement control. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been studied for various neurological and psychiatric conditions, including Tourette Syndrome.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for individuals with Tourette Syndrome who often have uncontrollable tics or movements. Participants should not have autism, mood disorders, epilepsy, or any implanted medical devices like pacemakers.

What is being tested?

The study tests whether Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive treatment using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, can help control unwanted actions by targeting a specific area of the brain involved in movement control.

What are the potential side effects?

Repetitive TMS may cause discomfort at the stimulation site on the scalp, headache, lightheadedness, or twitching of facial muscles during treatment. Rarely it could lead to seizures or hearing loss if proper ear protection isn't used.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Select...

I have been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

Select...

I have epilepsy.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 30 minutes after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (as it takes about 30 minutes to complete the modified slater-hammel stop signal task)

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~30 minutes after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (as it takes about 30 minutes to complete the modified slater-hammel stop signal task)

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 30 minutes after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (as it takes about 30 minutes to complete the modified slater-hammel stop signal task) for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Stop Signal Reaction Time (SSRT)

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Repetitive TMSExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Repetitive Intermittent Theta-Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Treatment

First Studied

Drug Approval Stage

How many patients have taken this drug

Repetitive TMS

2019

N/A

~10

0 / 2Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

The most common treatments for Tourette Syndrome often involve modulation of brain activity to improve motor control and reduce tics. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) targets specific brain regions, such as the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA), which is involved in controlling unwanted movements. By using magnetic fields to stimulate these areas, TMS aims to enhance the brain's ability to regulate motor functions and inhibit tics. This is crucial for Tourette Syndrome patients as it directly addresses the neurological basis of their symptoms, potentially leading to improved quality of life and better management of tics.

Randomized Sham Controlled Double-blind Trial of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Adults With Severe Tourette Syndrome.Subthreshold rTMS over pre-motor cortex has no effect on tics in patients with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome.