Tics and Tourette's: Accelerated TBS rTMS in Teens and Adults

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

This trial examines the safety, tolerability, and early signs of benefit of accelerated continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) applied to tic-related brain areas in participants aged 15 to 35 with persistent tic disorders or Tourette syndrome. Participants receive 50 sessions of 1800 pulses over two weeks, delivered five sessions per day targeting either the supplementary motor area or the primary motor cortex. The study also uses resting-state MRI to observe changes in neural networks associated with tic generation, aiming to inform future larger trials. A within-person design allows evaluation of individual neural and clinical responses to circuit-targeted stimulation. MRI scans include T1-weighted and rs-fMRI before and after treatment to assess brain network changes.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Outpatients
2. Ages 15 - 35 years old
3. Meets DSM-5 criteria for persistent (chronic) vocal/motor tic disorder or Tourette's syndrome with screening YGTSS score ≥ 20 (moderate or greater severity).
4. Moderate severity or intolerable side effects with at least one prior trial of an evidence-based anti-tic medication.
5. Stable on chronic psychotropic medications and/or therapy for 6 weeks prior to the study and agreeable to continue current treatments without change throughout the study.
6. Participants may continue to take medications and record daily usage throughout the study.
7. Capacity to provide informed assent or consent and parent or legal guardian able to provide consent for minors.
8. Ability to tolerate clinical study procedures.
9. Successfully complete the screening forms without any contraindications.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Psychiatric: history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance /alcohol abuse disorder, current elevated suicide risk, prior psychosurgery.
2. Neurologic: severe neurocognitive disorder, seizure disorder, certain structural brain lesions (e.g., intracranial mass lesions, TBI, hydrocephalus, sequelae of meningitis, frank brain injury).
3. TMS contraindications: implanted device; presence of metal in the head, including eyes and ears (excluding dental implants); certain tics.
4. Subjects with an unstable physical, systemic, or metabolic disorder (e.g., unstable hypertension; malnutrition).
5. Females who are pregnant or nursing (as determined by a questionnaire and urine pregnancy test).
6. Inability to complete the research protocol as determined by the Principal Investigator.

Where it's running

• University of California, San Francisco
  San Francisco, California, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Andrew M Lee — University of California, San Francisco
• Study coordinator: Andrew M Lee
• Email: AndrewMoses.Lee@ucsf.edu
• Phone: 415-476-7000

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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.