Related Experiment Videos
Developmental processes and brain imaging studies in Tourette syndrome.
Elizabeth Gerard1, Bradley S Peterson
1Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|July 5, 2003
Summary
Neuroimaging studies of Tourette syndrome (TS) reveal complex brain changes. Findings like reduced caudate nucleus volume may reflect causes or compensatory mechanisms, requiring further research in children.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Interpreting neuroimaging findings in Tourette syndrome (TS) is challenging.
- Brain imaging may reflect causes, consequences, or epiphenomena of TS.
- Understanding TS pathophysiology requires careful analysis of imaging data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review anatomical and functional neuroimaging studies of Tourette syndrome (TS).
- To exemplify the complexities in interpreting neuroimaging data for TS.
Main Methods:
- Searched Medline and Psychological Abstracts (PsycInfo) for neuroimaging studies on TS.
- Reviewed 9 anatomical and 21 functional cross-sectional imaging studies.
Main Results:
- Reduced lenticular and caudate nucleus volumes found in TS adults; caudate volumes reduced in children too.
- Prefrontal cortex volumes varied: smaller in adult TS, larger in child TS.
- Functional studies suggest frontal-striatal pathway involvement in tics, but results are mainly from adults.
Conclusions:
- TS imaging findings may indicate pathology or compensatory neural changes.
- Further prospective studies in at-risk children are needed.
- Clarifying the relationship between brain abnormalities and TS progression is crucial.