New insights in deep brain stimulation for Tourette syndrome

This thesis describes new insights into deep brain stimulation in otherwise treatment-resistant patients with Tourette Syndrome. Although the exact cause of Tourette Syndrome is largely unknown, it is shown that basal ganglia dysfunction plays a role. Deep brain stimulation activates certain areas within the basal ganglia. We found that thalamus stimulation has marked short-term tic-reducing effects. In the long-term, however, the tic-reducing effects are outweighed by the side effects. Therefore, we switched to globus pallidus stimulation, which is shown to have marked short-term and long-term tic-reducing effects.