Actively Recruiting
Distinguishing Tics and Functional Tics Using Clinical Neurophysiological Techniques
Led by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) · Updated on 2026-06-08
75
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This research aims to understand the differences between functional tics and organic tics, which are involuntary movements or vocalizations. Functional tics arise from problems in how the brain and body communicate, while organic tics are linked to diagnosed disorders. This study focuses on adults aged 18 to 80 years, including those with tics and healthy volunteers without tics, to help doctors improve diagnosis accuracy. Participants will attend a single 4-hour clinic visit, which may be split into one or two days. During the visit, they will wear two types of sensors: electromyography (EMG) sensors on muscles to record muscle electrical activity and electroencephalography (EEG) sensors on the scalp to detect brain waves. Participants will rest and be observed for involuntary tics, then asked to mimic their tics or similar movements. Their blink reflex will be tested using electrical pulses near the eyes. Throughout the visit, participants will undergo physical exams and complete questionnaires about their tics and health. Researchers will measure brain activity, muscle activity, blink reflex, and pre-pulse inhibition to study differences between functional and organic tics. The main outcome measured is cortical excitability seen in EEG signals. The study includes safety checks and aims to complete the visit within a few hours, with no long-term follow-up required.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Distinguishing Tics and Functional Tics Using Clinical Neurophysiological Techniques
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Able to provide informed consent
- Willing to comply with all study procedures and available for the study duration
- Male or female, aged 18 to 80 years
- Agree to follow lifestyle considerations before and during testing
- Diagnosed with functional motor tics or motor tics for patient groups
- No neurological or psychiatric disorders for healthy control participants
You will not qualify if you...
- Consuming more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week for men or more than 7 for women
- Using prescription or illicit drugs that may suppress tics within a specified time before testing
- Having abnormal movements besides tics on neurological exam
- Contraindications to EEG or EMG such as skin lesions or allergies to electrode materials
- History of brain tumor, stroke, or head trauma with loss of consciousness
- Epilepsy or seizures in the past 12 months
- Having Baclofen pump or neurostimulators for pain
- Pregnancy
- Current major depression, high scores on depression or anxiety scales, or major psychiatric illness
- Metal in eye or skull area, pacemaker, intracardiac lines, or implanted pumps/stimulators
- Unable to comply with study procedures
- Vocal tics only (tested with a separate rating scale)
- Low score on Premonitory Urge for Tics Scale with low willingness for tics (patients only)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 2 days
Participants undergo clinical neurophysiological assessments including EEG and EMG to explore physiological differences in tic types.
1 to 2 visits depending on cohort assignment
Duration - Up to study completion date
Participants may be observed for cortical excitability and other neurophysiological measures over time to support study objectives.
Follow-up visits as needed based on assessments
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, United States, 20892
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
Z
Zhen Ni, Ph.D.
D
Debra J Ehrlich, M.D.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
3
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