Exploring the Role of Neuroactive Steroids in Tourette Syndrome (NS in TS)
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a disabling neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and phonic tics. The studies proposed in this application will explore the endocrine mechanisms underlying two of the least well-understood biological characteristics of TS, namely its marked male predominance and stress susceptibility. In particular, our exploratory studies will characterize the steroid profile in TS-affected boys and girls to identify novel potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this disorder.
Studieoversigt
Status
Status
Betingelser
Betingelser
Intervention / Behandling
Intervention / Behandling
Detaljeret beskrivelse
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a disabling neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and phonic tics. Available treatment strategies remain unsatisfactory, due to limited knowledge of the biological foundations of this disorder. The studies proposed in this application will explore the mechanisms underlying two of the least well-understood biological characteristics of TS, namely its marked male predominance and stress susceptibility. Studies from the investigators suggest that these features of TS are contributed by neuroactive steroids, a family of mediators implicated in sex and stress regulation.
The typical age of onset of TS is 6-7 years, coinciding with adrenarche, a phase of adrenal maturation characterized by an upsurge in adrenal neuroactive steroids, such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEAS). In preliminary studies, the investigators found that DHEA exacerbated tic-like responses in animal models of TS. Interestingly, the dose of DHEA needed to elicit TS-like responses in females is higher than those needed in males, possibly pointing to a mechanism of sex differences in TS.
Stress reduces the ability of TS patients to suppress tics, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Studies in animal models indicate that this process may be due to the elevation of the neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone (AP) in the prefrontal cortex. By inhibiting the ability of the prefrontal cortex to suppress tics, AP promotes tic execution. In a pilot study, the investigators found that tic suppression, a well-known stressful task in TS patients, increases AP salivary levels. Furthermore, in another proof-of-concept study, the investigators found that inhibiting AP synthesis led to a reduction in tic severity and facilitated voluntary control of tics in stressful situations.
These findings lead to the hypothesis that TS patients exhibit alterations of the composition of their neuroactive steroid profiles, including: 1) an increase in baseline DHEA(S) levels in male TS patients, in correlation with life-time severity; and 2) an exaggerated elevation in AP in response to acute stress.
The two Aims of this proposal will test this hypothesis by: 1) comparing the baseline urinary steroidomic profile of TS-affected boys and girls with non-affected sex- and age-matched controls; and 2) charting the dynamic alterations in steroidomic salivary profiles in response to tic suppression. These studies will advance understanding of the endocrine mechanisms in TS and lead to the identification of potential biomarkers for the severity of tics and comorbid symptoms. In the long run, the results of these studies may open the way for the development of new therapies for TS that may reduce tic severity and increase patients' responsiveness to behavioral interventions.
Undersøgelsestype
Undersøgelsestype
Tilmelding (Anslået)
Tilmelding
Fase
Fase
- Ikke anvendelig
Kontakter og lokationer
Studiekontakt
Studiekontakt
- Navn: Marco Bortolato, MD PhD
- Telefonnummer: 8015873352
- E-mail: marco.bortolato@utah.edu
Undersøgelse Kontakt Backup
- Navn: Michael Himle, PhD
- Telefonnummer: 8015817529
- E-mail: michael.himle@utah.edu
Studiesteder
-
-
Utah
-
Salt Lake City, Utah, Forenede Stater, 84112
- Rekruttering
- University of Utah
-
Kontakt:
- Michael Himle, PhD
- Telefonnummer: 8015817529
- E-mail: michael.himle@utah.edu
-
-
Deltagelseskriterier
Berettigelseskriterier
Berettigelseskriterier
Aldre berettiget til at studere
Tager imod sunde frivillige
Køn, der er berettiget til at studere
Beskrivelse
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnostic criteria of TS for cases (and lack of any tic disorders for controls)
- Age between 8 and 12 years old (this age range is to ensure that TS participants can perform the tic suppression task)
- confirmation of sexual development by parent and/or self-reported Tanner stage of pubic hair development.
Exclusion Criteria:
- major psychiatric disorders such as a psychotic disorder, autism spectrum disorder, conduct disorder, and substance use disorder;
- other neurological disorders;
- clinically significant endocrinological disorders;
- use of therapies that can modify hormonal profile;
- pharmacotherapies that may change stress sensitivity, such as antidepressants and anxiolytics.
Studieplan
Hvordan er undersøgelsen tilrettelagt?
Design detaljer
- Primært formål: Grundvidenskab
- Tildeling: N/A
- Interventionel model: Enkelt gruppeopgave
- Maskning: Ingen (Åben etiket)
Antal våben
Våben og indgreb
Deltagergruppe / ArmDeltagergruppe / Arm |
Intervention / BehandlingIntervention / Behandling |
|---|---|
|
Eksperimentel: Tic suppression
Children with tics will undergo a tic suppression experimental paradigm. |
Tic Suppression Task (TST, administered to Tourette syndrome participants only): At the beginning of the task, the child participant will be seated alone in front of a computer monitor with a countdown timer visible on the screen. For the first 10 minutes (baseline condition) they will be asked to tic freely and not to try to suppress their tics. For the second 10 minutes children will be asked to suppress their tics and will receive points for successful suppression. Participants will then be asked to sit alone in the room and tic freely for an additional 10-minutes. |
Hvad måler undersøgelsen?
Primære resultatmål
Primære resultatmål
Resultatmål |
Foranstaltningsbeskrivelse |
Tidsramme |
|---|---|---|
|
Salivary allopregnanolone concentrations
Tidsramme: Through study completion, an average of 2 years
|
Change of concentrations of salivary allopregnanolone, as measured by chromatography/ mass spectrometry. All concentrations will be expressed in pg/ml. |
Through study completion, an average of 2 years
|
Sekundære resultatmål
Sekundære resultatmål
Resultatmål |
Foranstaltningsbeskrivelse |
Tidsramme |
|---|---|---|
|
Tic frequency
Tidsramme: Through study completion, an average of 2 years
|
Direct observation |
Through study completion, an average of 2 years
|
Andre resultatmål
Andre resultatmål
Resultatmål |
Foranstaltningsbeskrivelse |
Tidsramme |
|---|---|---|
|
Measurement of salivary concentrations of other neuroactive steroids
Tidsramme: Through study completion, an average of 2 years
|
Changes in concentrations of pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenediol, progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone, dihydroprogesterone, dihydrotestosterone, isoallopregnanolone, pregnanolone, epipregnanolone, 3-alpha androstanediol, androsterone, epiandrosterone, etiocholanolone, and cortisol as measured by chromatography/ mass spectrometry. All concentrations will be expressed in pg/ml. |
Through study completion, an average of 2 years
|
Samarbejdspartnere og efterforskere
Sponsor
Sponsor
Samarbejdspartnere
Samarbejdspartnere
Efterforskere
Efterforskere
- Ledende efterforsker: Marco Bortolato, MD PhD, University of Utah
Datoer for undersøgelser
Studer store datoer
Studiestart (Faktiske)
Studiestart
Primær færdiggørelse (Anslået)
Primær færdiggørelse
Studieafslutning (Anslået)
Studieafslutning
Datoer for studieregistrering
Først indsendt
Først indsendt
Først indsendt, der opfyldte QC-kriterier
Først indsendt, der opfyldte QC-kriterier
Først opslået (Faktiske)
Først opslået
Opdateringer af undersøgelsesjournaler
Sidste opdatering sendt (Faktiske)
Sidste opdatering sendt
Sidste opdatering indsendt, der opfyldte kvalitetskontrolkriterier
Sidste opdatering indsendt, der opfyldte kvalitetskontrolkriterier
Sidst verificeret
Sidst verificeret
Mere information
Begreber relateret til denne undersøgelse
Andre undersøgelses-id-numre
Andre undersøgelses-id-numre
- 00150143
Plan for individuelle deltagerdata (IPD)
Planlægger du at dele individuelle deltagerdata (IPD)?
Lægemiddel- og udstyrsoplysninger, undersøgelsesdokumenter
Studerer et amerikansk FDA-reguleret lægemiddelprodukt
Studerer et amerikansk FDA-reguleret enhedsprodukt
Disse oplysninger blev hentet direkte fra webstedet clinicaltrials.gov uden ændringer. Hvis du har nogen anmodninger om at ændre, fjerne eller opdatere dine undersøgelsesoplysninger, bedes du kontakte register@clinicaltrials.gov. Så snart en ændring er implementeret på clinicaltrials.gov, vil denne også blive opdateret automatisk på vores hjemmeside .