Sensory Symptoms in Tourette Syndrome

Sensory Symptoms in Tourette Syndrome

Patients with tics will be asked to complete a series of validated questionnaires (in electronic and/or paper format) regarding symptoms and conditions often associated with Tourette syndrome, including premonitory urges, sensory experiences, inattention, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, anxiety, and depression. Participants will also be asked to complete a quality of life assessment. This series of questionnaires will be administered annually.

Patients with tics will be recruited to participate in an observational study assessing extent and variation in non-motor features of Tourette syndrome over time. Each participant will complete a battery of validated questionnaires and scales online or in paper format (per patient preference), including the Premonitory Urge to Tic Scale (PUTS), the Sensory Gating Inventory (SGI), the Sensory Perception Quotient, the ADHD Self-Report Screening Scale, and others. These questionnaires will be administered annually to patients. For the analysis, participants will be stratified by age into late adolescents (18-25 years old) and adults (older than 25 years) since adolescent development ends at approximately age 25.

Inclusion criteria:

• 18 years of age or older
• Ability to provide informed consent and answer self-report questionnaires independently in English
• Diagnosis of Tourette syndrome (TS), chronic motor tic disorder, or chronic vocal tic disorder

Exclusion criteria:

• History of psychotic disorder
• History of significant neurologic disorder (e.g., stroke) other than TS or another chronic tic disorder