Postural control anomalies in children with Tourette syndrome

Abstract

The goal of the present study was to determine whether postural control is aVected in Gilles-de-la-Tourette syndrome (TS). Center of pressure (COP) displacements were recorded in children with TS and unaVected siblings in three conditions using a force platform: (1) Eyes-Open, (2) Eyes-Closed, (3) One-Leg standing with eyes open. The COP range and velocity were higher in children with TS than in unaVected siblings in all conditions. These diVerences could not be attributed to age, present tic severity, comorbidities (hyperactivity and compulsions) or medication. The data suggest that sub-clinical postural control anomalies are present in TS.

Effects of a secondary task on postural control in children with Tourette syndrome

“…Children with TS showed a higher sway velocity than controls confirming previous results [11]. This effect is independent of tic severity or behavioural comorbidities in this population.…”

“…Recently, we reported the presence of sub-clinical postural control anomalies in children with TS [11]. Larger and faster deviations of the center of pressure (COP) were observed in these patients compared to unaffected siblings and these anomalies appear to be independent of TS severity or comorbidities.…”

Gross motor performance and self‐perceived motor competence in children with emotional, behavioural, and pervasive developmental disorders: a review

“…This would explain why in some studies no poor balance performance was found in children with ADHD. For example, in a recent study involving children with Tourette syndrome, 106 ADHD symptoms had no influence on postural balance. Nevertheless, poor balance control in ADHD may also be caused by cerebellar abnormalities 16,66 .…”

Prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex abnormalities in Tourette Syndrome: evidence from voxel-based morphometry and magnetization transfer imaging

“…This is well in line with our finding of increased WMV in the sensorimotor cortex, and is in good agreement with the concept of an involvement of somatosensory pathways in TS. Apart from a recent structural MRI study which demonstrated thinning of the sensorimotor cortex in children with TS [ 44 ], behavioural and neurophysiological studies provide further evidence for abnormal sensory-motor processing in TS patients [ 45 , 46 ]. These structural alterations may represent an adaptive response of the somatosensory system to abnormal input from fronto-striatal circuits.…”