Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Children With Tourette's Syndrome

Tics are the core symptom of Tourette syndrome. These are repetitive, sudden, semi-voluntary movements or sounds. In some children, these tics can be especially bad and require treatment, however, options are limited. It is only with time and practice that youth with Tourette syndrome are better able to suppress their tics. For these reasons, new interventions are needed. The investigators will target a brain region involved in tics called the supplementary motor area. Using low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, the investigators will inhibit the activity, in a similar way to the tic suppression that develops with age. The investigators propose the following objectives: (Aim 1) The investigators hypothesize that Tourette syndrome symptom severity (as measured by the Yale Global Tic severity Scale) will decrease with low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation targeting the supplementary motor area. (Aim 2) The investigators further hypothesize that improvement in Tourette syndrome symptoms will be moderated by low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation induced changes in GABA and glutamate in the supplementary motor area, and changes in the functional connectivity between the supplementary motor area and primary motor cortex. Eleven children (7-12 years of age) with Tourette syndrome will be undergo low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (five times a week for three weeks). After the three weeks, they will look for changes in tic severity and brain chemistry and function. By developing a novel avenue for treating Tourette syndrome, they can directly impact the care of children by reducing the severity of tics and improving quality of life.