Altered inhibition of motor responses in Tourette Syndrome and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

• Published in: Acta neurologica Scandinavica Vol. 104; no. 1; pp. 36 - 43
• Main Authors: Johannes, S., Wieringa, B. M., Mantey, M., Nager, W., Rada, D., Müller-Vahl, K. R., Emrich, H. M., Dengler, R., Münte, T. F., Dietrich, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Copenhagen Munksgaard International Publishers 01.07.2001; Blackwell
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Anxiety disorders. Neuroses; Biological and medical sciences; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; event-related potentials; Evoked Potentials; Female; Frontal Lobe - pathology; Frontal Lobe - physiology; frontal lobes; Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; motor inhibition; Motor Skills Disorders - etiology; Motor Skills Disorders - physiopathology; Neurology; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder - physiopathology; Obsessive-compulsive disorders; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Tourette Syndrome - physiopathology; Human; Obsessive compulsive disorder; Nervous system diseases; Frontal lobe; Anxiety disorder; Exploration; Cerebral disorder; Electrodiagnosis; Central nervous system disease; Adult; Gilles de la Tourette syndrome; Degenerative disease; Inhibition; Motricity; Event evoked potential
• ISSN: 0001-6314; 1600-0404
• DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0404.2001.00308.x

Objectives– The Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (TS) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) have been shown to display impaired cognitive and motor inhibition. This study investigated inhibitory mechanisms of motor responses in order to expand the understanding of sensorimotor integration processes in both disorders. We hypothesized that both patient groups would display altered frontal inhibitory activity. Material and methods– To this end event‐related brain potentials (ERPs) were recorded in a STOP‐paradigm in groups of TS and OCD patients and in a control group. The paradigm required the execution of a motor response after a “go” signal was given and the occasional suppression of this response after a second “stop” signal occurred. Results– Behavioral parameters and Lateralized Readiness Potential (LRP) confirmed that both patient groups were well able to initiate motor responses. “Go” and “stop” stimuli elicited an enhanced frontal negative activity in both patient groups. In addition, “stop” stimuli were associated with a frontal shift of the NoGo‐Anteriorization (NGA) in the TS group but not in the OCD group. Conclusions– The data are interpreted to indicate altered frontal inhibitory functions. Similarities and dissimilarities between the findings for TS and OCD are discussed with respect to other pathophysiologic aspects of the disorders.