Altered neurophysiologic response to intermittent theta burst stimulation in Tourette syndrome

Brain Stimul. 2012 Jul;5(3):315-319. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2011.04.001. Epub 2011 May 1.

Abstract

Background: The motor system in Tourette syndrome has been found to be abnormal in previous fine-motor and neurophysiologic studies.

Objective: This novel pilot study uses repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation as a method to characterize the neurophysiology of the motor system in Tourette syndrome.

Method: We investigated the modulation of cortical excitability in adult Tourette syndrome patients by measuring motor-evoked potential amplitudes before and after applying intermittent theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Results: Motor-evoked potential amplitude changes over 1 and 10 minutes after intermittent theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation were greater in 11 healthy controls than 10 adult patients with Tourette syndrome (P = 0.004).

Conclusions: This altered neurophysiologic response to intermittent theta burst stimulation may contribute to the understanding of motor cortical mechanisms in Tourette syndrome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Evoked Potentials, Motor*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motor Cortex / physiopathology*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Tourette Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Tourette Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / methods*
  • Young Adult