Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to Evaluate Tourette s Syndrome

INCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients will have clinically documented TS as defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV and an evaluation of tics severity using the Yale Tic Scale. Fourty-four patients, ranging from 14-65 in age, will be recruited. Patients and normal volunteers may be male or female; however, female subjects of child bearing potential will have a pregnancy test and an interview prior to the study to ensure that pregnant subjects will not participate in the study. Patients will be asked to stop any medication that can influence their central nervous system for one week prior to exam. They will be asked to abstain from alcohol for one week before the study. Sixty-two normal controls will be included; controls will be screened in the NINDS Movement Disorders Outpatient Clinic. After screening and consenting, controls will have neurological and physical examinations. Controls with chronic illnesses, taking any medication that affects the CNS will be excluded. Female subjects of child bearing potential will have a pregnancy test and an interview prior to the study to ensure that pregnant subjects will not participate in the study. They will be asked to abstain from alcohol for one week before the study. More controls will be needed in order to ensure that the sequence is working prior to the acquisition of data, since the sequence has only been used in the 1.5T MRI scanner and we will be using the 3T. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Subjects younger than 14 years old. Patients with MRI findings consistent with brain tumors, strokes, trauma or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Patients with progressive neurological disorders other than Tourette's syndrome. Patients with a history of significant medical disorders, or who require chronic treatment with other drugs which cannot be stopped. Subjects with implanted devices such as pacemakers, medication pumps or defibrillators, metal in the cranium except mouth, intracardiac lines, history of shrapnel injury or any other condition/device that may be contraindicated or prevent the acquisition of the MRI. Patients with cancer. Patients not capable of giving an informed consent.