Understanding social isolation and cognition in adolescents with Tourette syndrome
Official title: Social Isolation and Social Cognition in Adolescents with Tourette Syndrome
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11137898 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how feeling alone affects teenagers with Tourette syndrome and how well they understand social situations, hoping to find ways to help them connect better with others.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $182,278 |
| NIH project number | 1K23MH137397-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11137898 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who have been diagnosed with Tourette syndrome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 12 to 20 or those without a diagnosis of Tourette syndrome may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how social isolation affects adolescents with Tourette syndrome (TS) and explores their social cognition. The study aims to quantify how many adolescents with TS experience social isolation and to assess their understanding of social cues through various assessments, including eye-tracking technology. By focusing on these aspects, the research seeks to identify risk factors contributing to social problems in this population. The findings could lead to improved behavioral therapies tailored to enhance social interactions for adolescents with TS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better therapeutic strategies that improve social functioning and reduce isolation in adolescents with Tourette syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing social cognition in neurodevelopmental disorders can lead to significant improvements in social outcomes, suggesting this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Watson, Kelly Haker — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Watson, Kelly Haker
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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.