Tourette SyndromeTIC-EEGNCT03604510
Role of Frontal Cortex in the Pathophysiology of Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS)
A study testing Electroencephalographic recordings in people with Tourette Syndrome, run by University Hospital, Bordeaux at 1 site in France.
Trial summary
Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a debilitating and severe syndrome whose pathophysiology remains unclear. In order to precise the cortical regions involved in the generation of tics, investigators will realize an electroencephalogram (EEG) recording in the frontal cortex of TS patients in ecological conditions… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 12 to 60 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Tourette Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Electroencephalographic recordings
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 14 participants
- Where
- 1 siteFrance
- Study dates
- 2 Feb 2018to 3 Mar 2020
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 12 to 60 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Tourette's syndrome since at least 2 years
- Lack of psychiatric comorbidity of axis 1 (depression)
- Y-YSGT score > 20
- Social insurance in accordance with the french law
Who cannot join
- Epilepsia
- Patient with an implanted medical device
- Severe mental or somatic disease
- Risk of suicide,
- Pregnant or breast feeding women
- Patient under "curatelle" or "tutelle"
- Patient hospitalized
- no social insurance
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a debilitating and severe syndrome whose pathophysiology remains unclear.
In order to precise the cortical regions involved in the generation of tics, investigators will realize an electroencephalogram (EEG) recording in the frontal cortex of TS patients in ecological conditions (EEG-holter). Activity changes will be correlated with event markers of tics and neurovegetative parameters. Statistical analyses will be compared between epochs of EEG recording with tics and without tics. The aim is to define the cortical regions involved in the genesis of tics in order to consider new targets for cortical stimulation.
Read the detailed description
Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is a childhood-onset disorder characterized by the presence of multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic often associated with psychiatric co-morbidity. The expression of tics range from brief, recurrent and non-rhythmic motor or vocal actions (simple tics) to complex motor or vocal sequences (complex tics). The pathophysiology of tics is not yet fully understood. Recent imaging data suggest that the pattern of functional connectivity in cortico-basal ganglia networks is disrupted in GTS patients and could reflect a defect in brain maturation. However, regions involved in the immediate genesis of tics remains unknown since it is difficult to capture on line the cortical changes associated with tic generation using imaging techniques due to moving artefacts. Moreover, tics are much more frequent in everyday life conditions than in the artificial conditions of a laboratory. The aim is to study cortical activity changes occurring before tic occurrence by using long duration recording of encephalographic activity (EEG) in ecological conditions through Holter EEG techniques (24h recordings). Recordings will be performed in 15 patients with a severe form of Tourette's syndromes. EEG changes will be correlated to event markers, voluntary monitored by patients or automatically recorded (accelerometers for motor tics). EEG epoch centered on tics will be compared to similar epochs without tics. The occurrence of tics will also be correlated with neurovegetative markers of emotions such as RR interval ECG variability and skin resistivity changes. The ultimate goal of this project is to define a potential therapeutic target of tics for chronic cortical stimulation.
- Conditions
- Tourette Syndrome
- Being tested
- Electroencephalographic recordings
- Medical subject headings
- Tourette Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Electroencephalographic recordingsProcedure or surgery
24 hours of electroencephalographic recordings (EEG-Holter) of prefrontal activity of Tourette's syndrome (TS) patients in ecological conditions.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Electroencephalographic recordings | Experimental | Electroencephalographic recordings Receives: Procedure: Electroencephalographic recordings |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Electroencephalogram (EEG) signal
24 hours recording of encephalographic activity (EEG) in ecological conditions through Holter EEG.
Measured: During 24 hours
Secondary outcomes (14)
Tic occurence
Occurence of tic recorded by the patient with a button press connected with a case and automatically recorded with an accelerometers for motor tics.
Measured: During 24 hours
Age
Measured: Day 0
Gender
Measured: Day 0
Disease duration
Measured: Day 0
Neurovegetative marker of emotions : RR Interval
Intervals between R waves (RR interval) from the electrocardiogram
Measured: During 24 hours
Neurovegetative marker of emotions : skin conductance
Skin conductance registered with a Bracelet sensor
Measured: During 24 hours
MINI (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview)
Measured: Day 0
Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Sacle (MADRS) Score
Measured: Day 0
State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI A and B)
Measured: Day 0
Global Assessment of Functioning Score (Global Assessment of Functioning Scale)
Measured: Day 0
Yale Global Tic severity score (YGTS)
Measured: Day 0
ADHD RS rating score (ADHD RS rating Scale)
Measured: Day 0
Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Score (Y-BOCS Scale)
Measured: Day 0
Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised Score (OCI-R)
Measured: Day 0
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted27 Jul 2018
- Study start2 Feb 2018
- Primary completion3 Mar 2020
- Study completion3 Mar 2020
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Tourette SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University Hospital, BordeauxThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 14 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital, Bordeaux
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03604510
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CHUBX2016/41
- Other IDs
- 2017-A02132-51
- Acronym
- TIC-EEG
- Status last verified
- Apr 2020
- First submitted
- 5 Apr 2018
- Last updated
- 20 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Role of Frontal Cortex in the Pathophysiology of Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (GTS)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03604510
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- TIC-EEG / CHUBX2016/41
- Conditions
- Tourette Syndrome
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 14 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital, BordeauxUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 2 Feb 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 3 Mar 2020 (actual)
- Study completion
- 3 Mar 2020 (actual)
- First posted
- 27 Jul 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a debilitating and severe syndrome whose pathophysiology remains unclear.
In order to precise the cortical regions involved in the generation of tics, investigators will realize an electroencephalogram (EEG) recording in the frontal cortex of TS patients in ecological conditions (EEG-holter). Activity changes will be correlated with event markers of tics and neurovegetative parameters. Statistical analyses will be compared between epochs of EEG recording with tics and without tics. The aim is to define the cortical regions involved in the genesis of tics in order to consider new targets for cortical stimulation.
Detailed description
Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is a childhood-onset disorder characterized by the presence of multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic often associated with psychiatric co-morbidity. The expression of tics range from brief, recurrent and non-rhythmic motor or vocal actions (simple tics) to complex motor or vocal sequences (complex tics). The pathophysiology of tics is not yet fully understood. Recent imaging data suggest that the pattern of functional connectivity in cortico-basal ganglia networks is disrupted in GTS patients and could reflect a defect in brain maturation. However, regions involved in the immediate genesis of tics remains unknown since it is difficult to capture on line the cortical changes associated with tic generation using imaging techniques due to moving artefacts. Moreover, tics are much more frequent in everyday life conditions than in the artificial conditions of a laboratory. The aim is to study cortical activity changes occurring before tic occurrence by using long duration recording of encephalographic activity (EEG) in ecological conditions through Holter EEG techniques (24h recordings). Recordings will be performed in 15 patients with a severe form of Tourette's syndromes. EEG changes will be correlated to event markers, voluntary monitored by patients or automatically recorded (accelerometers for motor tics). EEG epoch centered on tics will be compared to similar epochs without tics. The occurrence of tics will also be correlated with neurovegetative markers of emotions such as RR interval ECG variability and skin resistivity changes. The ultimate goal of this project is to define a potential therapeutic target of tics for chronic cortical stimulation.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Electroencephalographic recordings | Experimental | Procedure: Electroencephalographic recordingsElectroencephalographic recordings |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 12 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Tourette's syndrome since at least 2 years
- Lack of psychiatric comorbidity of axis 1 (depression)
- Y-YSGT score > 20
- Social insurance in accordance with the french law
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Epilepsia
- Patient with an implanted medical device
- Severe mental or somatic disease
- Risk of suicide,
- Pregnant or breast feeding women
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Electroencephalographic recordings24 hours of electroencephalographic recordings (EEG-Holter) of prefrontal activity of Tourette's syndrome (TS) patients in ecological conditions. | Procedure or surgery | Electroencephalographic recordings |
Primary outcome
Electroencephalogram (EEG) signal
Time frame: During 24 hours
24 hours recording of encephalographic activity (EEG) in ecological conditions through Holter EEG.
14 secondary outcomes
Tic occurence
Time frame: During 24 hours
Age
Time frame: Day 0
Gender
Time frame: Day 0
Disease duration
Time frame: Day 0
Neurovegetative marker of emotions : RR Interval
Time frame: During 24 hours
Neurovegetative marker of emotions : skin conductance
Time frame: During 24 hours
MINI (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview)
Time frame: Day 0
Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Sacle (MADRS) Score
Time frame: Day 0
State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI A and B)
Time frame: Day 0
Global Assessment of Functioning Score (Global Assessment of Functioning Scale)
Time frame: Day 0
Yale Global Tic severity score (YGTS)
Time frame: Day 0
ADHD RS rating score (ADHD RS rating Scale)
Time frame: Day 0
Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Score (Y-BOCS Scale)
Time frame: Day 0
Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised Score (OCI-R)
Time frame: Day 0
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Tourette Syndrome
Not yet recruiting
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Recruiting
Deep Brain Stimulation Therapy in Movement Disorders
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Exploring the Role of Neuroactive Steroids in Tourette Syndrome
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Tourette Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Target Detection & Suppression
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Electroencephalographic recordings in people with Tourette Syndrome, run by University Hospital, Bordeaux at 1 site in France.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Electroencephalogram (EEG) signal (time frame: During 24 hours). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 May 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.