Increased midbrain gray matter in Tourette's syndrome

Abstract
Objective To investigate cerebral structure in Tourette's syndrome (TS). Methods Voxel‐based morphometry study of high‐resolution MRIs in 31 TS patients compared with 31 controls. Results Increased gray matter mainly in the left mesencephalon in 31 TS patients. Interpretation This result constitutes strong and direct evidence supporting Devinsky's hypothesis (Devinsky O. Neuroanatomy of Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome. Possible midbrain involvement. Arch Neurol 1983;40:508–514) according to which midbrain disturbances play an important pathogenic role in TS. Ann Neurol 2006;59:381–385
Funding Information
  • Fondation Horlait-Dapsens
  • Belgian American Educational Foundation
  • Nato
  • NIH
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
  • “Fondation Léon Frédéricq”