We are currently recruiting adolescents and young adults with tic disorders to participate in the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Augment Behavior Therapy for Tics study at the University of Minnesota. We hope to learn whether we can improve Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), a first-line treatment for tic disorders, by pairing it with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS is a painless, well-tolerated, and noninvasive procedure that involves placing a hand-sized magnet next to the head to temporarily activate brain cells. In this study, TMS will be used to temporarily “turn down” the activity level of the brain regions involved in tics.
You may be eligible for this study if you are...
- Between the ages of 12 - 21
- Currently experiencing chronic motor and/or vocal tics
- Right-handed
- Able to undergo MRI
- Not currently receiving therapy focused on tics
- Not currently taking neuroleptic/antipsychotic medications
Members of our study can expect to do the following:
1. Participate in 10 daily sessions of CBIT plus TMS in-person at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB) located in Minneapolis. All participants will receive CBIT. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either active or sham (“fake”) TMS.
2. Complete behavioral and clinical assessments prior to starting treatment, immediately after completing treatment, 1-month after completing treatment, and 3-months after completing treatment. Assessment visits will take place either in-person or remotely via Zoom.
3. Undergo MRI scanning before starting treatment and after completing treatment.
MRI scans, assessment visits, and treatment visits will take approximately 3 weeks to complete. Including follow-up visits, your participation in this study will last up to 20 weeks. Participants will be compensated for completing study activities.
Contact us at [email protected]. You can also fill out this form and we will contact you!
