Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Generating Acute and Chronic Experimental Models of Motor Tic Expression in Rats
Published on: May 27, 2021
Increased beta rhythm as an indicator of inhibitory mechanisms in tourette syndrome
Valentina Niccolai1, Hanneke van Dijk1, Stephanie Franzkowiak1
1Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Background:
Inhibitory oscillatory mechanisms subserving tic compensation have been put forward in Tourette syndrome. Modulation of the beta rhythm (15-25 Hz) as the well-established oscillatory movement execution-inhibition indicator was tested during a cognitive-motor task in patients with Tourette syndrome.
Methods:
Performing a Go/NoGo task, 12 patients with Tourette syndrome and 12 matched controls were recorded using whole-head magnetoencephalography.
Results:
Compared to healthy participants, patients showed less beta suppression in the sensorimotor area and enhanced beta power in parieto-occipital brain regions contralaterally to the response hand. Average beta power and power gain correlated negatively with tic severity.
Conclusions:
Increased motor inhibitory as well as visuomotor attentional processes are likely to subserve tic compensation. Correlational results suggest that stronger inhibitory compensation accompanies less tic severity.
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