Deep Brain Stimulation in Tourette Syndrome

Phase

N/A

Condition

Tic Disorders

Autism

Treatment

Deep Brain Stimulation

Clinical Study ID

NCT06388291

CTU/2018/321

Ages > 18
All Genders

Study Summary

Op-TICS is a clinical investigation of the use of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), with a CE marked implantable device, to reduce severe motor and vocal tics in patients who suffer from Tourette Syndrome (TS).

It is a randomised, double-blind, crossover clinical investigation for 20 patients. Op-TICS will be performed at the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery.

Following DBS surgery, participants will first enter an open adjustment phase, of 6 months, where the electrical stimulation settings of the device are optimised. Participants will then enter the double-blind phase that will include successively up to 2 weeks with stimulation on and up to 2 weeks with the stimulation off in a randomised order.

The primary outcome measure is the tic severity score measured by the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale -Total Tic Score after two weeks OFF-stimulation versus two weeks ON-stimulation in the double-blind randomised crossover phase

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

Adult patients aged 18 and over:

with chronic, severe, treatment refractory Tourette Syndrome, as defined by a YaleGlobal Tic Severity Scale score (YGTSS (global)) >50/100
with failure to respond to a minimum of two antipsychotic drugs prescribedseparately at maximally tolerated doses for a minimum of 6 weeks OR, intolerance ofthese medications causing early cessation due to adverse events
who have provided agreement to participate and written informed consent

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

Schizophrenia or other primary psychotic disorder (schizophrenia (ICD11 6A20);delusional disorders (ICD11 6A24); schizoaffective disorder (ICD11 6A21).
History of substance-induced psychotic disorder (ICD11 6C40.6 Alcohol-inducedpsychotic disorder; ICD11 6C43.6 Opioid-induced psychotic disorder; ICD11 6C41.6Cannabis-induced psychotic disorder; ICD11 6C42.6 Synthetic cannabinoid-inducedpsychotic disorder; ICD11 6C44.6 Sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic-induced psychoticdisorder; ICD11 6C45.6 Cocaine-induced psychotic disorder; ICD11 6C46.6Stimulant-induced psychotic disorder including amphetamines, methamphetamine ormethcathinone; ICD11 6C47.6 Synthetic cathinone-induced psychotic disorder; 6C49.5Hallucinogen-induced psychotic disorder; ICD11 6C4B.6 Volatile inhalant-inducedpsychotic disorder; ICD11 6C4C.6 MDMA or related drug-induced psychotic disorder,including MDA; ICD11 6C4D.5 Dissociative drug-induced psychotic disorder includingKetamine or PCP; ICD11 6C4E.6 Psychotic disorder induced by other specifiedpsychoactive substance).
Recurrent depressive disorder with a history of attempted suicide (ICD11 6A71).
Bipolar disorder (ICD11 6A60).
Severe personality disorder judged to be contributing to impaired social function bythe physician reviewing eligibility (ICD11 6D10.2).
Disorders of Intellectual Development (defined as moderate intellectual disabilities (ICD11 6A00.1); severe intellectual disabilities (ICD11 6A00.2); profoundintellectual disabilities (ICD11 6A00.3)).
Autism Spectrum Disorders with exception of ICD11 6A02.0 Autism spectrum disorderwithout disorder of intellectual development and with mild or no impairment offunctional language.
Significant cognitive impairment as judged at the discretion of the physicianreviewing eligibility.
Pregnancy or absence of an acceptable method of contraception.
Contraindications to neurosurgery (such as brain abnormalities, haemostasis disorderor contraindication to MRI) or anaesthesia.
Severe intercurrent pathology and any other disease that could interfere with theprotocol or compromise life expectancy, in the Investigator's judgement.
Continued participation in any other interventional clinical trials.
Any other implanted electronic devices such as implantable cardioverterdefibrillators (ICD), permanent pacemakers (PPM) and drug pumps.

Study Design

Deep Brain Stimulation

August 02, 2022

June 30, 2025

Study Description

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder with patients exhibiting multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic. When these tics are distressing, medications or behavioural therapy can be used to control symptoms.

However, there are a small number of patients with very severe tics who are unresponsive to these conventional treatments and suffer a major negative impact on their quality of life. This limits their social interaction and access to most jobs. These patients are in urgent need of more effective treatments.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a technique that involves the surgical implantation of two thin wires (electrodes) in the right and left globus pallidus, areas of the brain responsible for the control of body movement. The electrodes are connected to a stimulator placed on the chest under the skin that sends electrical signals to the brain. This type of surgery is routinely used for disorders such as Parkinson's disease and has also been used in a smaller number of TS patients.

DBS is an accepted treatment for conditions such as Parkinson's disease, dystonia and tremor. In experienced teams the risks associated with the surgery and the device are very low. A small number of patients with Tourette syndrome around the world have benefited from DBS; nevertheless, more evidence is needed before DBS can be made available as an NHS treatment for severely affected patients and NHS England has prioritised this research topic.

Connect with a study center

National Hospital of Neurology & Neurosurgery
London,
United Kingdom
Site Not Available

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