Using magnetic stimulation to improve therapy for tics in children and adolescents
Official title: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Augment Behavior Therapy for Tics
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11185773 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special brain treatment called rTMS can help young people with chronic tics get better results from a therapy called CBIT, by comparing two different rTMS methods to see which one works best for reducing tics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2020 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $618,376 |
| NIH project number | 4R33MH123754-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11185773 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are youth aged 12-21 years who experience chronic tics and have not fully benefited from standard behavioral therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have chronic tics or are outside the age range of 12-21 years may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to enhance the effectiveness of Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) in young people with chronic tics. The study will compare two different rTMS techniques against a sham treatment to determine which method best improves tic suppression abilities. Participants will undergo 10 daily sessions combining CBIT with the assigned rTMS regimen. The goal is to normalize brain activity related to tic disorders and improve treatment outcomes for affected youth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve tic suppression in children and adolescents, leading to better management of their symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results using rTMS for various neurological conditions, suggesting potential success for this novel application in tic disorders.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Conelea, Christine a — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Conelea, Christine a
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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.