Therapy affects the brain of people with Tourette syndrome

In addition to its effect on chronic tics, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can change the brain function of people with Tourette syndrome. This is what is revealed in a study by researchers at the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal (CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Île-de-Montréal) and the University of Montreal, the results of which will be presented at the First World Congress on Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders, to be held in London from June 24 to 26.

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder mainly characterized by motor and vocal tics in affected people. A tic is generally defined as a semi-voluntary movement or vocalization with no specific purpose. "There is still no definitive explanation of the causes of this syndrome, but we know that tics are related to an impaired communication between the supplementary motor area - a region of the cerebral cortex - and deeper areas called the basal ganglia," said Simon Morand-Beaulieu, a student at the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal and the University of Montreal's Department of Neuroscience.

Combined with medication, cognitive behavioural therapy helps to significantly reduce tics. In effect, CBT helps to normalize activity observed in the supplementary motor area, among other things, through relaxation and muscle discrimination exercises focusing on the muscles associated with tics. "In addition to the beneficial effects on tics, we wanted to see if CBT effectively alters the brain function of people with TS," said Morand-Beaulieu.

Before beginning CBT, the participants in the study affected with TS completed an experimental task typically designed to elicit brain activity in the supplementary motor area. In the task, they were asked to respond manually based on the colour of an arrow pointing to the right or left. The researchers observed overactivity in the supplementary motor areas of the participants and deficits in the appropriate selection and preparation of their movements. However, following therapy, the researchers observed that the tics were significantly reduced and the brain functioning of affected people was similar to that of participants without TS.

Tics - sudden, repetitive movements or sounds that some people make, seemingly without being aware of it - are more common than you might realize. Indeed, many people have tics that go away in less than a year or mild tics that don't interfere with their lives.

But in some kids, tics are more severe or long lasting. If a child has tics for more than a year, it is called a chronic tic disorder. In some cases, these tics can be part of a condition called Tourette syndrome.

The tics associated with Tourette syndrome tend to get milder or go away entirely as kids grow into adulthood. Until that happens, though, parents can help their child cope with the condition.

About Tourette Syndrome