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Brain-behavior relations during motor processing in chronic tic and habit disorder
Kieron P O'Connor1, Marc E Lavoie, Manon Robert
1Hôpital Louis-H Lafontaine and Centre de Recherche Fernand-Seguin, Département de Psychiatrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada. kieron.oconnor@crfs.umontreal.ca
Summary
Individuals with chronic tic and habit disorders exhibit altered brain activity during motor tasks. This suggests potential difficulties in optimally controlling and initiating movements.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- Tic and habit disorders are associated with heightened activation states.
- These states may impair the initiation and control of complex motor actions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate electrophysiological markers of motor preparation and execution.
- To compare these markers between individuals with chronic tic disorder, habit disorder, and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological signals were recorded from 4 electrodes (Fz, C3, C4, Pz).
- Participants completed a 4-second foreperiod reaction time task under automated and controlled conditions.
Main Results:
- Controls demonstrated shorter readiness potential (RP) onset during automated responses.
- Controls exhibited longer movement-associated potential (MAP) onset during controlled responses compared to clinical groups.
- A linear relationship between RP and reaction time (RT) was unique to the control group.
Conclusions:
- Patients with chronic tic and habit disorders may have suboptimal cortical activation modulation.
- This suboptimal modulation could affect the planning and execution of both automated and controlled motor responses.
