Postural control anomalies in children with Tourette syndrome

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Movement Disorders
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Gilles-de-la-Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary movements and vocalizations (tics).
• Postural control, the ability to maintain body stability, is crucial for daily activities and can be affected by various neurological conditions.
• While tics are the hallmark of TS, underlying sensorimotor deficits may also be present.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether postural control is significantly affected in children diagnosed with Gilles-de-la-Tourette syndrome (TS).
• To compare the postural control abilities of children with TS to those of their unaffected siblings.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a force platform to record center of pressure (COP) displacements.
• Assessed postural control in three distinct conditions: eyes-open, eyes-closed, and one-leg standing with eyes open.
• Included children with TS and their unaffected siblings in the study cohort.

Main Results:

• Children with TS demonstrated significantly higher COP range and velocity compared to their unaffected siblings across all tested conditions.
• These observed differences in postural control were independent of age, tic severity, comorbid conditions (hyperactivity, compulsions), or medication use.
• The findings indicate the presence of sub-clinical postural control anomalies in individuals with TS.

Conclusions:

• Postural control deficits are evident in children with Gilles-de-la-Tourette syndrome, even in the absence of significant confounding factors.
• These findings suggest that impaired balance control may be an under-recognized feature of TS.
• Further research into the neurophysiological underpinnings of these postural anomalies in TS is warranted.