Neurofeedback for Tourette Syndrome
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Neurology, Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology, Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 11 - 19 |
| Updated: | 8/29/2018 |
| Start Date: | October 2012 |
| End Date: | December 2017 |
Neurofeedback of Activity in the Supplementary Motor Area for Tourette Syndrome
The aim of this study is to train patients with tic disorders to control activity in a region
of their brain that has been associated with the urge to tic. Patients will be given direct
feedback regarding activity in this brain area while they are undergoing functional magnetic
resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning, and will try to learn to control activity in the region
during these feedback sessions. In separate sessions, patients will be given sham feedback
based on the brain patterns of a prior subject rather than their own brain patterns. Our
primary hypothesis is that the biofeedback training will reduce their tic symptoms more than
the sham feedback.
of their brain that has been associated with the urge to tic. Patients will be given direct
feedback regarding activity in this brain area while they are undergoing functional magnetic
resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning, and will try to learn to control activity in the region
during these feedback sessions. In separate sessions, patients will be given sham feedback
based on the brain patterns of a prior subject rather than their own brain patterns. Our
primary hypothesis is that the biofeedback training will reduce their tic symptoms more than
the sham feedback.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome or Chronic Tic Disorder
- currently active tics
- aged 11-19
- ability to execute most common tics without moving head while lying on back
Exclusion Criteria:
- Blindness (because feedback is provided visually)
- Lifetime diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder, bipolar disorder, or psychotic
disorder.
- Presence of any serious psychiatric or psychosocial condition requiring initiation of
new treatment or change in current treatment.
- Neurological conditions affecting central nervous system, with the exception that
predisposition to migraine will not be grounds for exclusion
- Change in medication in the month prior to beginning the study
- Unwillingness to keep medication stable over the course of the intervention
- Full braces (but some retainers are OK)
- Claustrophobia of a degree that they cannot comfortably be scanned
- If common tics involve dramatic changes in breathing that could alter blood
oxygenation measurements
- Inability to keep head still while executing most common tics
- Inability to keep head still in mock scanner
- Inability or unwillingness to understand or follow the instructions
- Pregnancy or possible pregnancy
- Subjects may also be excluded after the first magnetic resonance scan if we are unable
to localize a region of their supplementary motor area involved in tics - leaving us
without a target area for biofeedback.
We found this trial at
1
site
Yale University School of Medicine Founded in 1810, the Yale School of Medicine is a...
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