Related Experiment Videos
Tic reduction with pergolide in a randomized controlled trial in children
D L Gilbert1, L Dure, G Sethuraman
1Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH 45229-3039, USA. d.gilbert@chmcc.org
Neurology
|February 26, 2003
Summary
Pergolide effectively reduced tic severity in children with chronic tic disorders and Tourette syndrome. This dopamine agonist was safe and well-tolerated, also showing potential benefits for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuropharmacology
- Movement Disorders
Background:
- Current treatments for pediatric tic disorders, like neuroleptics, have significant side effects and limited efficacy.
- Previous studies indicated pergolide might offer therapeutic benefits for tics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pergolide in treating chronic tic disorders and Tourette syndrome in children.
- To compare pergolide's effectiveness against a placebo in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 57 children and adolescents (ages 7-17) with tic severity scores >30 on the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS).
- Participants were randomized 2:1 to receive either pergolide (0.15-0.45 mg/day) or placebo.
- The primary outcome was the change in YGTSS scores.
Main Results:
- Pergolide treatment resulted in significantly lower tic severity scores compared to placebo (p=0.05).
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptom scores also improved significantly with pergolide (p=0.02).
- No serious adverse events were reported, and pergolide was well-tolerated.
Conclusions:
- Pergolide demonstrates efficacy and safety as a treatment for reducing tic severity in children.
- The medication may also offer benefits for co-occurring attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in this population.