EMTICS
How do genes, inflammation processes and stress affect tics in children?
European Multicentre Tics in Children Study (EMTICS) is the first large-scale and long-term study of the role played by genes, inflammation processes and stress in the development and aggravation of tics in children.
Background
Tic disorders (such as Gilles de la Tourette syndrome) are largely genetically determined (hereditary). Which genes precisely cause the tics is still unknown, though. The autoimmune system also appears to be involved in the development and aggravation of tics, e.g. following throat infections (presence of group A streptococcus). This hypothesis is promising but not yet adequately substantiated. We also know from everyday practice that tics can be aggravated by stress, but only limited systematic research has been conducted to investigate this.
The research study
The EMTICS study is the first large-scale and long-term study of the role played by genes, inflammation processes and stress in the development and aggravation of tics in children. The study comprises two parts: the onset study and the clinical course study.
The onset study investigates the new onset of tics in 500 children (aged 3-10 year) without tics. These are children who have an increased risk of developing tics, i.e. children who have a brother, sister, father or mother with a chronic tic disorder. Participation lasts for a maximum of three years and stops as soon as the child develops tics.
The clinical course study investigates the course of tics in 700 children and adolescents (aged 3-16 years) with a chronic tic disorder. The focus is on identifying why tics become worse and what role is played by genes, inflammation processes and stress. Participation in the clinical course study lasts for a maximum of 18 months.
In both sub-studies, the child and his/her parents are invited for an appointment with the researchers every four months. Blood samples, throat swabs and hair samples are collected from the child. In addition, information about the tics, inflammations and stress is also collected through the completion of questionnaires and a weekly journal, and through four-monthly telephone interviews.
The results
The research study began in 2013 and inclusion lasted till 2018. There are some results already, More results will become available in 2020.
Collaboration
The research is funded by the European Commission (FP7 programme) and is being conducted simultaneously in over 25 European countries. The research is a collaboration between the University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG) and Accare.