Project 171609
The impact of co-morbidity on cognition and behaviour in adults and children with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome
The impact of co-morbidity on cognition and behaviour in adults and children with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome
Project Information
| Study Type: | Trial Quasi_Experimental |
| Therapeutic Area: | Mental_Health |
| Research Theme: | Clinical |
| Disease Area: | Gilles de la Tourette syndrome |
| Data Type: | Canadian |
Institution & Funding
| Principal Investigator(s): | O'Connor, Kieron P; Lavoie, Marc E |
| Co-Investigator(s): | Blanchet, Pierre J |
| Institution: | Centre de recherche Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal |
| CIHR Institute: | Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction |
| Program: | |
| Peer Review Committee: | Psychosocial, Sociocultural & Behavioural Determinants of Health - A |
| Competition Year: | 2008 |
| Term: | 4 yrs 0 mth |
Abstract Summary
Although Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (TS) is characterized by tics and diagnosed by the presence of tics, it is frequently accompanied by other behavioral problems such as obsessional compulsions and hyperactivity. These associated problems, termed comorbities, differ in children and adults and can be extremely disruptive to treatment response. Our research aims in this current grant demand, in continuity with our previous research, address the impact of comorbidity on the clinical status of TS. In a previous CIHR funded project we focused on the impact of TS with and without OCD as a comorbid disorder. In the present demand we explore similar questions related to a common but understudied comorbidity, namely hyperactivity. We examine how both children and adults diagnosed as TS with/without hyperactivity differ in terms of thinking, feeling, physiological responding symptomatology and treatment compliance. A group of 40 adults with TS plus hyperactivity and 40 TS without hyperactivity will be recruited and assessed on neurocognitive function, clinical symptoms, psychosocial and interpersonal/family functioning. All participants will be offered a 14 week cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) program. A group of 40 children with and without hyperactivity will also be assessed and will receive an adapted version of our empirically validated CBT program. All participants will be retested on all measures post-treatment to monitor treatment response and the impact of treatment on function. The results will help us answer clinical questions related to comorbidity such as which problem to treat first and how does treating one comorbid problem impact on other problems. Analyses will compare the impact of hyperactivity on the clinical status in children and adults, so letting us chart the evolution of the problems from child to adulthood, and offer guidelines on dealing with the impact of comorbidity on treatment outcome in different age groups.
Research Characteristics
This project includes the following research characteristics:
Study Justification
"A group of 40 adults with TS plus hyperactivity and 40 TS without hyperactivity will be recruited and assessed on neurocognitive function, clinical symptoms, psychosocial and interpersonal/family functioning. All participants will be offered a 14 week cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) program. A group of 40 children with and without hyperactivity will also be assessed and will receive an adapted version of our empirically validated CBT program."
Novelty Statement
"The results will help us answer clinical questions related to comorbidity such as which problem to treat first and how does treating one comorbid problem impact on other problems."
Methodology Innovation
investigating the impact of hyperactivity comorbidity on the clinical status and treatment response of adults and children with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome