Why is This Study Being Done?

The ultimate goal of this study is to identify genetic (inherited) factors that play a role in causing TS and related disorders such as Chronic Tics (CT), Obsessive-Compulsive disorder (OCD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Eventually, we hope that this research will enable us to identify a genetic factor or factors that cause certain individuals to become affected with a particular illness. Identification of genetic factors that predisposes individuals to Tourette disorder could increase understanding of the basic causes, possibly leading to the development of new methods for treatment, or perhaps even prevention of onset of this disorder in some individuals.

The Sharing Repository functions as a bank and processing center. Simply, we recruit and evaluate interested individuals with TS and, if possible, their relatives and a blood (or rarely saliva) sample is drawn. The information is stored in a coded way to keep their identity a secret. The DNA, cell lines and clinical information are provided to qualified researchers who wish to study Tourette disorder or related disorders.

In the future, this data could become part of the National Institutes of Health Repository at Rutgers University as a national resource.