Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Posterior Parietal Cortex in Patients Suffering From Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Posterior Parietal Cortex in Patients Suffering From Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome

Repetitive transcranial stimulation (rTMS) of the posterior parietal cortex will be applied daily over five days in adult Gilles de la Tourette patients. This approach aims at reducing premonitory sensations believed to induce tics. Patients will be randomized to an active or placebo (sham) group in a crossover design.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Gilles de la Tourette syndrome as defined by DSM IV-R
• Yale Global Tics Severity Scale (YGTSS) score between 30 et 60
• Premonitory sensations (" urge to move ")
• Affiliated to the French social security regime
• Ability to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• rTMS : epilepsy, craniotomy scar, pacemaker or neural stimulator, metal implants or foreign bodies, claustrophobia, pregnancy
• Cognitive impairment (MMS ≤ 24/30)
• Axis I disorders according to DSM IV-R : psychosis or history of psychosis, bipolar illness, major depressive disorder, addictions (except to nicotine)
• Impulse control disorders
• Other chronic debilitating illnesses
• Unability to give informed consent
• Participation in another clinical trial