Bereitschaftspotential in tic disorders: a preliminary observation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Sensory phenomena, such as premonitory urges, are recognized in tic disorders like Tourette's syndrome.
• Existing research substantiating these sensory phenomena is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the premonitory urge in patients with tic disorders.
• To assess the neurophysiological correlates of premonitory urge using Bereitschaftspotential.

Main Methods:

• Preliminary report involving three patients diagnosed with tic disorders.
• Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure Bereitschaftspotential, a marker of motor preparation.
• Observed Bereitschaftspotential in relation to tic occurrence.

Main Results:

• Bereitschaftspotential was detected in all three patients prior to the onset of tics.
• The findings suggest that tics may not be purely involuntary but possess a quasi-volitional component.
• Bereitschaftspotential is proposed as a potential neurophysiological marker for premonitory urge in tic disorders.

Conclusions:

• Tics in tic disorders might be quasi-volitional rather than entirely involuntary.
• Bereitschaftspotential could serve as a neurophysiological indicator of the premonitory urge.
• Further research into the voluntary aspects of tics is warranted.