# Linking Brain and Behavior in Chronic Tic Disorders

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2020 · $337,405

## Abstract

Abstract
 The neural circuitry underlying premonitory urge and tic suppression is particularly important given the
role of voluntary tic control in improved quality of life and enhanced effectiveness of empirically supported
behavioral treatments such as Habit Reversal Training (HRT) for individuals with Chronic Tic Disorders
(CTDs), including those with Tourette's Syndrome. Despite a building research base, the etiology and
pathophysiology of CTDs remain poorly understood, with existing findings confounded by small sample sizes,
developmental effects due to wide age range, medication usage, and uncontrolled psychiatric comorbidity. In
the current project, we propose to apply an innovative approach (mobile brain/body imaging [MoBI] to
characterizing the neural substrates underlying premonitory urge and tic suppression in CTDs. The MoBI
approach involves the simultaneous recording and integration of high-definition motion capture video, cortical
activity (electroencephalography; EEG) and muscle movements (electromyography; EMG). Use of this leading
edge technology will advance our understanding of the neural substrates underlying urge suppression and may
allow identification of putative biomarkers for premonitory urge and tic suppression. The current study
proposes to use the MoBI approach on a sample of 175 children aged 8-12 years old, 125 with CTDs and 50
age-matched healthy control (HC) peers. We will use several paradigms to model the neural substrates
underlying voluntary and involuntary movements and test whether CTDs involve quantitative or qualitative
deviation in motor network circuitry relative to HC peers. Successful application of the MoBI approach to the
problem of discovering and testing brain-based biomarkers for CTD is highly innovative in the context of
current research, and also has clear potential for advancing clinical CTD research and practice.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9932517
- **Project number:** 5R01NS097484-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Sandra K Loo
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $337,405
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-06-01 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9932517

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9932517, Linking Brain and Behavior in Chronic Tic Disorders (5R01NS097484-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9932517. Licensed CC0.

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