Involvement of the Serotonergic System in the Control of Impulsivity in Tourette Disorder

What this Trial Is About

Tourette disorder (TD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by motor and vocal tics, often linked with psychiatric issues involving impulsivity such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and intermittent explosive disorder. Researchers seek to better understand the role of the brain's serotonin (5-HT) system, especially the 5-HT2A receptor, in controlling both cognitive and emotional symptoms in TD. Since aripiprazole, a drug commonly used in TD, blocks these receptors, the study aims to explore this receptor's involvement in impulsive behaviors in TD patients. The study involves 25 adult patients with TD who are already scheduled to receive treatment with aripiprazole (5-15 mg). Each participant will undergo two evaluations: one without neuroleptic medication and one during stable treatment. During these sessions, patients will receive an intravenous injection of a specialized PET radiotracer ([18F]-altanserin) that maps 5-HT2A receptor binding in the brain, combined with functional MRI scans to assess brain activity. Participants will be monitored through advanced brain imaging techniques, including PET and fMRI, to collect data on receptor binding and brain function. Researchers will then analyze how these imaging results correlate with impulsivity scores measured by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS11) and other clinical assessments. The main outcome will be evaluated in the year following the imaging sessions as part of a detailed data analysis process. The study is sponsored by Hospices Civils de Lyon and will run until September 2028.

Serotonin Control of Impulsivity in Tourette Disorder