Tourette Syndrome Research

Abstract

The Tourette Syndrome Association was pleased to partner with the Child Neurology Society and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in support of the symposium on Tourette syndrome in the ‘‘Neurobiology of Diseases in Children’’ series. The symposium program offered highlights of some of the impressive gains that have been made in Tourette syndrome research over the past decade. As with this symposium, much of this progress would not have occurred were it not for the support of the Tourette Syndrome Association, often in partnership with the National Institutes of Health. For over two decades, the Tourette Syndrome Association has actively funded research on genetics, neuroimaging, neuropathology, and clinical studies related to treatment of Tourette syndrome. In addition, the Tourette Syndrome Association has supported the formation of several international consortia to perform collaborative research beyond what would have been possible for individual investigators working alone. The symposium represented the truly remarkable scientific spectrum of Tourette syndrome, a disorder that spans the disciplines of neurology, psychiatry, psychology, genetics, and neuroscience. The breadth and depth of interest in Tourette Syndrome research and treatment were demonstrated well by the diversity of the invited faculty and by the attendance of more than 270 registrants. We were extremely gratified by both the quality of this symposium and the level of interest among participants. The work goes on. The first gene mutation associated with Tourette syndrome has now been reported. Increased knowledge of the clinical and neurobiologic features of Tourette syndrome has provided the rationale for new treatment strategies, some of which have already proven to be successful in controlled trials. The future for people with Tourette syndrome is brighter than ever. Our support for this symposium was made possible by our member donors, a truly dedicated group of individuals who are committed to advancing research and treatment of this complex, challenging, and troublesome disorder.