International collaboration mapping genes and brain scans in Tourette syndrome
Tourette Syndrome genetics and neuroimaging international collaborative study
This project brings together MRI brain scans and genetic data from people with Tourette syndrome and related conditions to spot biological patterns linked to tics and co-occurring symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11250036 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a large international effort that combines brain MRI scans and genetic data from people with Tourette syndrome and from those with common co-occurring conditions like ADHD, OCD, autism, anxiety, and depression. Participants may provide a DNA sample, medical records, and/or undergo a standardized MRI scan at a participating site or contribute existing data. Researchers use shared processing pipelines and pooled data from many centers to find consistent brain and genetic features tied to tics and comorbidity. The goal is to explain why some people with Tourette's develop additional psychiatric conditions and to lay the groundwork for better-targeted care in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with Tourette syndrome—especially children and adolescents—and those with common co-occurring diagnoses such as ADHD, OCD, ASD, anxiety, or depression, as well as healthy volunteers for comparison.
Not a fit: People looking for immediate new treatments or those without Tourette syndrome or related neuropsychiatric conditions are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify brain and genetic markers that improve diagnosis and help guide development of more targeted treatments for Tourette syndrome and related conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Large international consortia like ENIGMA have successfully pooled MRI and genetic data to find brain signatures in other psychiatric disorders, and prior Tourette genetics work has shown some risk signals, but this broad integrated approach is relatively new for TS.
Where this research is happening
West Lafayette, United States
- Purdue University — West Lafayette, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Paschou, Peristera — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Paschou, Peristera
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.