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Increased midbrain gray matter in Tourette's syndrome
Gaëtan Garraux1, Andrew Goldfine, Stephan Bohlhalter
1Human Motor Control Section, Medical Neurology Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-1428, USA.
Annals of Neurology
|January 27, 2006
Summary
Tourette
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Neuroanatomy
Background:
- Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics.
- The underlying neurobiology of TS remains incompletely understood, with various brain regions implicated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cerebral structural differences in individuals with Tourette's syndrome compared to healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis was performed on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
- The study included 31 patients diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome and 31 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Patients with Tourette's syndrome exhibited increased gray matter volume.
- This increase was predominantly observed in the left mesencephalon (midbrain).
Conclusions:
- The findings provide direct evidence supporting the hypothesis of midbrain involvement in the pathogenesis of Tourette's syndrome.
- Structural abnormalities in the midbrain may play a significant role in the development of TS.