Novel Pharmacological Approaches for Tourette Syndrome

Tourette Syndrome Treatment Updates: a Review and Discussion of the Current and Upcoming Literature

Purpose of Review

This study aims to examine the treatments currently available for Tourette syndrome (TS) and to discuss evolving therapies, spanning behavioral, pharmacologic, complementary and alternative medicine, and neuromodulation approaches.

Recent Findings

Behavioral therapies have undergone several modifications to improve accessibility, including transitioning to a virtual format which is particularly important in the current pandemic. There are several recent or ongoing pharmacologic studies that have shown promise including the selective D1 receptor antagonist ecopipam and various cannabinoid compounds. Adaptive DBS may enable the physiologic markers of tics to determine stimulation parameters and improve tic outcomes related to neuromodulation.

Summary

In recent years, there has been a wealth of research across multiple treatment domains in the TS field. This review highlights exciting and new potential options for the future treatment of patients with TS.

Clinical Practice Patterns in Tic Disorders Among Movement Disorder Society Members

Background

Tic disorders belong to the broad spectrum of pediatric and adult movement disorders. The wide variability in clinical presentations, applied assessment tools, and treatments are poorly understood.

Objectives

To map practices and knowledge base of movement disorder clinicians concerning clinical features, pathophysiology, and treatment approaches in tic disorders.

Methods

A 33-item survey was developed by the Tic Disorders and Tourette syndrome Study Group members of the Movement Disorder Society. The survey was distributed to the complete society membership and included responses from 346 members, 314 of whom reported treating tic disorders.

Results

Approximately one third of survey respondents (35%) frequently evaluated patients with tics. The data revealed widespread use of existing guidelines (about 70%) and screening for comorbid disorders (>90%). The most common investigations used to rule out secondary causes of tics were imaging (92%), laboratory tests (66%) and neurophysiology (38%). Functional tics were the second most common tic etiology following primary tics. Only 27% of respondents reported confidence in knowledge about tic pathogenesis. Top rated interventions to treat tics were psychoeducation, cognitive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT) and treatment for neuropsychiatric comorbidities. Antipsychotics were ranked as the most effective pharmacologic tic intervention.

Conclusions

The majority of movement disorders specialists do not frequently encounter tics. There was sparse knowledge about tic pathophysiology. Psychoeducation, CBIT, the treatment of neuropsychiatric comorbidities and use of antipsychotics emerged as the most common interventions to treat tics. These results provide insight into what will be needed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of tic disorders.

Tourette syndrome in children: An update

Tourette syndrome (TS) causes academic, social, emotional, physical, and functional problems. Most TS patients also have comorbid neuropsychological conditions. The purpose of this review is to provide updated information to the clinician about phenomenology, epidemiology, comorbidities, pathophysiology and management strategies for tics (a hallmark of TS) and TS. Recent findings suggest that TS is likely due to a combination of several different genes and environmental factors, with possible involvement of the cortical-basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuit and related multiple neurotransmitters. First-line management includes psychoeducation for families, patients, and school personnel, as well as behavioral therapy. Non-medicine treatment for tics is advancing to include younger children and increase access via remote service applications. Pharmacotherapy is used if appropriate and several new medicines are under investigation (e.g., Tetrabenazine, valbenazine, deutetrabenazine, ecopipam, cannabinoids). Deep brain stimulation and Mouthguard therapy can be used for children with intractable illness.

Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibition in Tourette Syndrome: A 12-Week, Randomized, Controlled Study

BACKGROUND

Modulation of the endocannabinoid system via monoacylglycerol lipase inhibition with Lu AG06466 (formerly known as ABX-1431) has previously been shown to reduce tics in patients with Tourette syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Lu AG06466 in reducing tics, premonitory urges, and comorbidities in patients with Tourette syndrome.

METHODS

This was a 12-week, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of Lu AG06466 given at two dose levels in 49 adults with Tourette syndrome.

RESULTS

Both treatment groups showed improvement on the Total Tic Score of the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale; the mean (95% CI) treatment difference at week 8 of 3.0 (0.1, 5.9) (P = 0.043) favored placebo. No significant differences were seen for other endpoints assessing changes in tic severity, premonitory urges, quality of life, and common psychiatric comorbidities. Treatment with Lu-AG06466 was generally safe.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no evidence that Lu AG06466 has efficacy in suppressing tics. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.