Validation Of Subclassification Groups In Tourette’s Syndrome Using A Community Sample

Abstract

Research on the pathophysiology of Tourette Syndrome (TS) has been confounded by the occurrence of comorbid symptoms. Therefore, studies are often unclear on whether findings are the result of TS (e.g., tics) or comorbid symptoms, such as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and/or Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The establishment of subgroups could eliminate these confounds. The proposed study will investigate and validate four subgroups present in children and adolescents with TS (“pure” TS, TS+ADHD, TS+OCD, and TS+ADHD/OCD) found in a previous study by Behen, Muzik, Helder, Rothermel, Perry, and Chugani (in press). “Pure” TS refers to individuals who show tic symptoms with no comorbid symptoms of ADHD or OCD. TS+ADHD and TS+OCD are groups of individuals who have tic symptoms and high comorbid symptoms of ADHD or OCD, respectively. Finally, the TS+ADHD/OCD group includes individuals who have tic symptoms and have high comorbid symptoms of both ADHD and OCD. Three hundred children and adolescents (aged 5 to 18 years) from the community will be recruited from the Michigan Chapter of the Tourette Syndrome Association. Participants’ caregivers will complete behavioral assessment scales and a social history interview about the child.