Clinical Research Directory

Neurofeedback From the Supplementary Motor Area for Tourette Syndrome

This is a clinical trial where adolescents aged 10-16 years old with Tourette Syndrome (or chronic tic disorder) are randomized to receive either real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) neurofeedback targeting the supplementary motor area (for the experimental intervention) or real-time fMRI neurofeedback (NF) from a control region (for the control intervention).

Sertraline vs. Placebo in the Treatment of Anxiety in Children and AdoLescents With NeurodevelopMental Disorders

There are currently no approved medications for the treatment of anxiety in children and youth with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), both common and rare. Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, has extensive evidence to support its use in children's and youth with anxiety but not within NDDs. More research is needed to confirm whether or not sertraline could help improve anxiety in children and youth with common and rare neurodevelopmental conditions. This is a pilot study, in which we plan to estimate the effect size of reduction in anxiety of sertraline vs. placebo. across rare and common neurodevelopmental disorders, and determine the best measure(s) to be used as a primary transdiagnostic outcome measure of anxiety, as well as diagnosis specific measures in future, larger-scale clinical trials of anxiety in NDDs.

Cognitive-psychophysiological Treatment for Tics in Young People With Tourette's Syndrome With or Without Biofeedback

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness of CoPs therapy with or without the therapeutic component of biofeedback in treating tics in Tourette Syndrome with emerging young adults. Hypotheses: 1. The CoPs+Biofeedback treatment will improve the severity of tics (YGTSS) and the Clinical Global Impression, surpassing the clinical significance threshold of CoPs treatment alone. 2. We expect that the identified variables (psychosocial, neurocognitive, biological) will predict the improvement of tics. Researchers will compare if the biofeedback treatment will improve the severity of tics. * In the pre-test, participants will undergo two interviews, each lasting 3 hours. These interviews will assess (through a battery of tests) the severity of tics as well as the psychosocial, biological, and neurocognitive aspects of functioning. A general assessment of intelligence and executive functions will also be conducted. * They will next attend 10 to 12 therapy sessions, with or without biofeedback. (The biofeedback component is explained in more detail in the ''Study Design'' section). * The post-test follow-ups consist of two evaluations: one 3 months after the end of the treatment and the other 6 months after. The evaluation will be done using the same battery of tests as during the pre-test interview.

Investigating Changes in Premonitory Urges During Habit Reversal Training for Tics

The primary aim of this study is to learn more about premonitory urges (PU) when using Habit Reversal Training (HRT) to treat tics. The main focus of this study is to investigate if and when PU change during tic treatment sessions and between tic treatment sessions. Participants will: * Attend 5 study visits (approximately 1 to 1.5 hours each) for an intake, habit reversal training for 3 separate tics, and a post assessment * Attend 5 practice sessions (approximately 30 minutes each) over a week for 3 weeks (total 15 practice sessions) * Study visits and practice sessions will take place in person and online via secure videoconference

Clinical Characteristics and Temporal Properties of Individual Tics in Persistent Tic Disorder

The goal of this clinical study is to learn more about the timing of tics (sudden, fast movements and sounds that people do and make without meaning to) in people who have multiple tics that have been going on for more than one year. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. See whether a tic's timing is related to other characteristics of the tic, like how long it has been happening and how well the person can control/stop that tic 2. See whether the timing of a tic can tell us how well the person can control/stop that tic 3. See whether tic treatment changes the timing of tics, and if the timing of a tic has anything to do with how well treatment will work to stop it Participants will meet with a study researcher to learn more about the study, ask questions, and decide whether or not they would like to be involved. If they decide to do the study, they will meet with the researcher 6 times: 1. During the first visit, the study researcher will ask questions about the participant's life, tics, and other psychological symptoms. The researcher will watch the participant's tics for 10 minutes. The participant will do a computer task where they follow instructions to tic or not tic. 2. During the second visit, the study researcher will treat one of the participant's tics. 3. During the third visit, the study researcher will treat another one of the participant's tics. 4. During the fourth visit, the study researcher will treat another one of the participant's tics. 5. During the fifth visit, the study researcher will treat another one of the participant's tics. 6. During the sixth visit, the study researcher will ask questions about the participant's tics and other psychological symptoms. The participant will do a computer task where they follow instructions to tic or not tic.