Rotstein and colleagues from Tel Aviv developed a gamified adaptation of exposure and response prevention (DRO) that provides immediate rewards for tic suppression, and tested it in a crossover trial with 35 children with tics \citep{Rotstein_2024}. Compared to non-contingent, end-of-session reward, immediately rewarded tic suppression resulted in substantially increased tic suppression during treatment sessions. Clinically, tic ratings improved 26% during treatment and 43% at 3 months after treatment. This approach adds reward variety and a much more engaging format to TicTrainer \citep*{Black_2018}, and seems very likely to prove clinically useful.
\citet{38700867} published a 12-month follow-up of their RCT of internet-delivered ERP for tics in over 200 children, focused on changes from 3 to 12 months, but including an analysis of data from all study visits. Surprisingly, active ERP did not differ significantly from the comparator (intended to be a placebo therapy) at any time point.
Pharmacological studies
The Phase 2b T-GOLD study of valbenazine for youth with Tourette syndrome did not meet its primary endpoint \citep*{correspondents2024}. Secondary analyses are planned to determine whether a subgroup of patients responded well.
A mechanistic study of vitamin D3 in a rodent model of tics \citep{38396228}.
Neurosurgery
"Responsive" DBS for TS \citep{38499664}.
Tics, family and society
\citet{ndt} completed a focus group to summarize thoughts of adults with TS on priorities for research and on the development of a registry.
In the past decade, the first authors of over half of Tourette-related publications were women \citep{Mahajan_2024}.