Personalized closed-loop non-invasive brain stimulation to treat tics in children

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Researchers will create a personalized, closed-loop non-invasive brain stimulation protocol using TMS guided by each child's brain activity and imaging, combined with behavioral therapy and safety monitoring. Eligible children (5–18 years) who meet DSM-5 criteria for tic disorders, are treatment‑naive, and have FIQ ≥70 will undergo MRI/fMRI and receive individualized stimulation while clinicians record clinical and neurophysiological outcomes. The protocol excludes participants with metal implants, significant head motion during fMRI, non‑right‑handedness, major neurological or psychiatric comorbidities, or FIQ <70. Outcomes will include changes in tic severity, tolerability, and neural-circuit measures to refine precision neuromodulation for pediatric tics.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* 1: Children and adolescents aged 5 to 18 years

  2: Meets DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Tic Disorders (TDs) with normal EEG findings

  3: No prior treatment received for TDs

  4: Full-scale intelligence quotient (FIQ) ≥70 on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R)

Exclusion Criteria:

* 1: WISC-R Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FIQ) \<70

  2: Presence of metal implants in the body ，Non-right-handedness

  3: Head movement (HM) \>2mm during fMRI scanning, including both translational movement (TM) and rotational movement (RM)

  4: Any other neurological or psychiatric conditions, including but not limited to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), epilepsy, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), etc

  5: Previous head trauma ，Neurological diseases ，Major systemic illnesses

Where it's running

• Shanghai Children's Medical Center，School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
  Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Jun Ma, M.D.
• Email: majun@shsmu.edu.cn
• Phone: 13917230745

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Combined ERP and Habit Reversal Therapy for Tourettic OCD

  This study tests whether a merged Exposure and Response Prevention and Habit Reversal Therapy helps adults with Tourettic OCD more than either therapy alone or basic psychoeducation.

  Recruiting at 2 sites University College London Hospitals · London, London and 1 other locations · NCT07725926

• Understanding changes in Tourette Syndrome

  This study is trying to learn how Tourette Syndrome and tic disorders change over time in kids by using new technology to track their symptoms.

  Recruiting University of Minnesota · Minneapolis, Minnesota · NCT06679790

• Mindfulness intervention for managing tics in Tourette syndrome

  This study is testing a mindfulness program to see if it can help adults with Tourette syndrome manage their tics better than traditional therapy.

  Recruiting Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, Maryland · NCT06408662

• Comparing Sertraline and Placebo for Treating Anxiety in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

  This study is testing if the medication sertraline can help reduce anxiety in children and teens aged 8-17 with neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and Fragile X syndrome compared to a placebo.

  Recruiting at 6 sites Phase 2 Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital · Calgary, Alberta and 6 other locations · NCT06081348

• Characterizing Repetitive Behaviors in OCD and Tic Disorders

  This study is testing if special brain activity measurements can help tell the difference between compulsions in OCD and tics in Tourette syndrome to improve treatment options for people aged 15 to 65.

  Recruiting at 3 sites Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, France · Créteil and 2 other locations · NCT06050369

• Mobile app-assisted treatment for children and adolescents with tics

  This study tests whether a mobile app can help children and teens with tic disorders manage their symptoms better and stick to their treatment plans.

  Recruiting Aarhus University Hospital · Aarhus N, Risskov · NCT05390268

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.