Funding News - NINDS Seeks Persons with Tourette Syndrome

Scientists at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) seek persons with Tourette syndrome (TS) for neuroimaging research studies. These studies include functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) [Protocols 02-N-0027], positron emission tomography (PET) [Protocols 02-N-0175 and 02-N-0181], and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) [Protocol 02-N-0128].

Eligible individuals must be 14 to 65 years old. Participants will be asked to stop any medications that affect the central nervous system and to abstain from alcohol for 24 hours before the study. Persons with progressive neurological disorders, other than TS, or other significant pathology will be excluded. Pregnant women will be excluded.

The purpose of the studies is to examine brain activity of tics during waking (fMRI and PET) and sleeping (PET) states. Furthermore, the studies will evaluate the density of GABA A receptors (PET) and look at brain metabolism of GABA (MRS). Researchers hope to reveal which brain areas generate tics and how the neurotransmitter GABA is involved.

Individuals may participate in one or more of the above studies if they qualify. The studies may last two to three hours as part of an outpatient visit or may last up to two days and require hospitalization. Once the studies are complete, individuals will be given information on the results.

The studies will take place at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD. There will be no cost for participation or for any tests associated with the research study.

For more information, with no obligation to participate, please contact Dr. Stephan Bohlhalter at 301-496-0153, fax 301-480-2286, e-mail: BohlhalS@ninds.nih.gov; Dr. Alicja Lerner at 301-402-2983, fax 301-480-2286, e-mail: LernerA@ninds.nih.gov; or Dr. Fernando Pagan at 301-402-3494, fax 301-480-2286, e-mail: PaganF@ninds.nih.gov.