Toward a Symptom-Guided Neurostimulation for Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome

Front Psychiatry. 2017 Feb 27:8:29. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00029. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Therapy resistance of approximately one-third of patients with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) requires consideration of alternative therapeutic interventions. This article provides a condensed review of the invasive and non-invasive stimulation techniques that have been applied, to date, for treatment and investigation of GTS. Through this perspective and short review, the article discusses potential novel applications for neurostimulation techniques based on a symptom-guided approach. The concept of considering the physiological basis of specific symptoms when using stimulation techniques will provide a platform for more effective non-pharmacological neuromodulation of symptoms in GTS.

Keywords: Gilles de la Tourette syndrome; cerebellum; neuropsychiatry; physiology; symptom; therapy.

Publication types

  • Review