Distinguishing Tics and Functional Tics Using Clinical Neurophysiological Techniques

What this study involves

The registry says this study is recruiting. Individual locations may have different availability.

Study type

Observational

Phase

Not applicable / not listed

Age range

18 years - 80 years

Sex eligible

All sexes

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

Participants

75 Estimated

These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.

About the research

Background:

Tics are involuntary movements and vocalizations. Some tics are organic: They are related to diagnosed disorders. Sometimes tics have other causes, such as problems with how the brain and body send and receive messages. These are called functional tics. It can be difficult to tell the difference between these 2 types of tics. Doctors need to know more so they can make more accurate diagnoses.

Objective:

To learn more about the difference between functional and organic tics.

Eligibility:

Adults aged 18 to 80 years who have a tic that causes involuntary movements. Healthy volunteers with no tics are also needed.

Design:

Participants will have one 4-hour clinic visit. The visit may be done in 1 or 2 days. Participants will refrain from consuming alcohol or caffeine before the visit. They may have a physical exam.

Participants will wear two types of sensors:

Electromyography (EMG): Adhesive disks with sensors will be attached to the skin above some muscles. These disks will record electricity in the muscles as the participant moves.

Electroencephalography (EEG): Sensors will be placed on the participant s scalp. The sensors may be adhered directly, or the participant may wear an electrode cap. The sensors will detect brain waves.

Participants will rest while seated in a chair. Their involuntary tics will be monitored with the EMG and EEG. Then they will be asked to make movements to mimic their tics. Healthy volunteers will also rest; then they will be asked to perform movements that mimic tics.

Participants will have their blink reflex tested. EMG sensors will be placed on the muscles near the eyes. Electrical pulses will be used to stimulate blinking.

Participants will answer questionnaires about their tics and their health....

Who may be able to participate?

The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.

• INCLUSION CRITERIA:

In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

• Capacity to provide informed consent (self-consent)
• Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
• Male or female, aged 18-80
• Agreement to adhere to Lifestyle Considerations prior to and during the physiological testing visit.

Inclusion criteria for patients with functional tics or tics

\- Diagnosed with functional motor tics or motor tics

Inclusion criteria for healthy controls

\- Have no neurological or psychiatric disorders established by history and physical/neurological examination

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

• Self-reported consumption of \>14 alcoholic drinks/week\* for a man and \>7 alcoholic drinks/week for a woman
• Use of prescription drugs and other illicit drugs that may suppress tics such as dopamine blocking agents and antipsychotics during a certain time period prior to the

neurophysiological testing session.\*\*

• Clinically significant abnormal movements on neurological examination except for tics.
• Contraindications to EEG or EMG procedures, including skin lesions at electrode sites or hypersensitivity to electrode materials.
• History of or current brain tumor, stroke, head trauma with loss of consciousness.
• Epilepsy or seizures in the past 12 months.
• Have a Baclofen pump, or have neurostimulators for pain.
• Pregnant women
• Self-reported current major depression or Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) score \>19, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) score \> 9, or any major current psychiatric illness.
• Presence of any metal in the eye or skull area such as a brain stimulator, shrapnel, surgical metal, clips in the brain, cochlear implants, metal fragments in the eye.
• Presence of pacemaker, intracardiac lines, implanted pumps or stimulators.
• Unable to comply with the requirements of the study procedures.
• Vocal tics only tested with Modified Rush Video-Based Tic Rating Scale.
• Low Premonitory Urge for Tics Scale (PUTS) score \< 9 (maximum 36) with low willingness for tics (patient groups only, not applicable in healthy volunteers).

• Note: 1 standard alcoholic drink is 0.6 ounce (14 grams) of pure alcohol.

• Note: The certain time period depends on different drugs used. Five half-lives will be selected. The drug is considered effectively eliminated from the body after this time period because the concentration of the drug reaches around 3% of the orininal concentration.

Study population

Three groups with up to 25 subjects in each group. Two groups of patients (18-80 years old) with tics and functional tics, and another group of healthy controls.

Treatment, groups and participation

The registry may describe treatments and study duration without a complete visit calendar. Ask the study team for the exact schedule, procedures, risks, costs and alternatives. Keep your usual care plan unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise.

Assignment

Not reported

Masking

Not reported

What researchers are measuring

Outcome measures describe what is being studied. They are not proof that a treatment works.

Primary measures

Research locations (1)

The overall study status and a local site’s status can differ. Confirm that location’s availability before traveling.

1 locations

Study team and timeline

Lead sponsor

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Study start

Nov 15, 2026 Estimated

Primary completion

Aug 1, 2034 Estimated

Study completion

Aug 1, 2034 Estimated

First posted

Aug 22, 2025 Actual

Last updated

Nov 10, 2026 Actual

Official study contacts