U-TIC Tourette Syndrome Study

Would you like to take part in a study on tics and tic urges in Tourette Syndrome?

Deakin University and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) are currently conducting a study on tics and tic urges in Tourette Syndrome at The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. This study is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

The project looks at the subjective experience of tics and tic urges in young people and compares these to images taken of their brain activity during a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. This is a safe, painless and non-invasive test. You and your child may be interested in taking part in this project.

Who can participate?

We are looking for children and teenagers with a confirmed diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome. Your child could be eligible to participate if they:

• are 12-17 years of age, and

• had vocal and motor tics for over 12 months, causing distress and difficulties at both home and school.

What is the research about?

As part of this project, we want to find out how young people’s experiences of tics relate to what happens in their brains before and during a tic. Participation will involve one 2.5hr assessment at the RCH and a second 2hr follow up assessment at the RCH.

How to contact the researchers?

If you are interested in participating or would like further information, please contact the study coordinator on (03) 9244 3090 or utic_ts@deakin.edu.au. Once you contact us, we will send you an information sheet, explaining the research in more detail.

For more information, please go to the project webpage on the MCRI website