The Tics and Tourette's Clinical and Research Program is currently recruiting for the following studies.

• Guanfacine (Intuniv) Study (Shire): This is a double blind pilot study designed to determine whether extended release guanfacine safe and beneficial in the treatment of children and adolescents with Tourette's Disorder (TD) or Chronic Tic Disorder.

Study design: Double-blind placebo-controlled.

Recruiting subjects: ages 6-17 years, with a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of TD or Chronic Tic Disorder at NYU or NKI.

• MRS GABA Study (Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA)): Dr. Gabbay is PI and Dr. Coffey is co-investigator. Adolescents are being evaluated for participation in an exploratory research study. The aim of this study is to use functional MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to evaluate changes in levels of a neurotransmitter, Gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), in the brain. Participants must be right handed and must meet criteria for TD.

Study design: Controlled study comparing brain GABA levels in adolescents with TD and normal controls.

Recruiting subjects: right handed adolescents ages 12-17 years, with a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of TD at NYU and NKI.

• ADHD-TD or ADHD-CTD Treatment Investigation (TSA):
This study is investigating the most effective ways to treat tics in children with chronic tic disorders and ADHD. Treatment with a combination of Methylphenidate (MPH) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBIT) is a current clinical standard of care for treatment of ADHD with comorbid TD or CTD in adolescents. Subjects will be followed as they receive this treatment; the actual treatment is not a study procedure. Study procedures involve videotaping of CBT sessions and completing some assessments.
Study design: Pilot trial with the goal of providing supportive data necessary to proceed with a proposal for an adaptive treatment design, investigating the most effective ways to treat tics in children with chronic tic disorders and ADHD.

Recruiting subjects: ages 9-17 years, with a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of TD or chronic tic disorder and comorbid ADHD, any sub-type, at NYU.

• fMRI Pilot Study (TSA): Dr. Castellanos is PI and Dr. Coffey is co-investigator. The aim of this study is to use functional MRI to investigate changes in brain networks related to Tourette's Disorder.
Study design: Controlled study comparing brain networks in children and adolescents with ADHD, TD and normal controls.

Recruiting subjects: right-handed children and adolescents, ages 8-17 years who meet criteria for TD at NYU.

If you are interested in learning more about our research or would like to become involved with any of our studies please contact Resham Gellatly at (212) 263-4764.