Current Research​
We have lots of different projects to get involved with!
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Check the list with the project description and get in touch here if you would like more information or check the FAQs
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We are always thrilled to help.
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Current studies
Click the images to find out more
⊳Investigating combined tACS-MNS on tic frequency and the urge-to-tic
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Summary: The aim of this study is to assess the impact of two safe, non-invasive forms of brain stimulation on tic frequency and the urge-to-tic in Tourette Syndrome. This study will include receiving median nerve stimulation (MNS) and transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). You will receive four 3.5 minute blocks of MNS and tACS (either alone or combined) with 5 minutes of rest before and after. You will be video recorded to analyse your tic frequency and a slider to rate your urge-to-tic throughout the study during rest and during different types of stimulation.
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MNS will be applied to your right wrist and tACS involves the application of a thick gel to two areas your scalp, that is easily washed out with warm water and soap. You will have access to hair washing facilities after the study.
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In total this study will last approximately 1 hour. You will be given an inconvenience allowance for your participation.
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Requirements: Right-handed, no history of epilepsy, no implanted electronic devices
Age range: 18+
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Start date: Recruiting now! ​
Recruiting now! Please fill in this form or contact Caitlin Smith (Caitlin.Smith1@nottingham.ac.uk) for more information about booking a time.
⊳Exploring the urge-to-tic in Tourette Syndrome
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Summary: The aim of this study is to explore which regions of the brain are involved in feelings of urge prior to tics using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI is a painless and non-invasive method which uses magnetic fields and radio waves to take a clear picture of the brain and to look at changes in brain activity. During the MRI, you will be asked to suppress your tics for periods of 7 minutes whist you continuously rate your urge-to-tic using a rollerball device. This task will repeat 3 times. The researcher will explain exactly what to do before each scan and you will be able to see instructions on a screen in front of you.
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In total this study will last approximately 1.5 hours. You will be given an inconvenience allowance for your participation and will be able to keep some pictures of your brain.
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Requirements: Right-handed, no history of epilepsy, no implanted electronic devices
Age range: 18+
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Start date: Recruiting now! ​
Recruiting now! Recruitment for this study will end at the end of July so please fill in this form or email Mairi Houlgreave (Mairi.Houlgreave1@nottingham.ac.uk) for more information about booking a time.
⊳Interhemispheric M1-M1 interactions in Tourette syndrome
Summary: The aim of this study is to investigate how the motor regions (M1) in both sides of the brain function and interact with each other. The study uses transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) which is a safe and non-invasive stimulation technique. We would stimulate the M1 area which can cause small muscle contractions in your hands. The right side of your brain controls the left hand and the left side of the brain controls the right hand. In this study, we would stimulate both sides of the head and expect movement in both hands. First, we would do this while your hands are relaxed. Then, we would also ask you to complete a simple computer-based reaction time task.
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Requirements: Right-handed, no history of epilepsy, no implanted electronic devices
Age range: 18+
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Start date: Recruiting now! ​
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Please fill in this form or email Isabel Farr (lpxif1@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk) for more information
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⊳Tapping in Time
This study is designed to assess the ability to tap in time to a beat, investigating movement and coordination! In the study you will hear some beeps and you will be asked to tap along to the beat. Once the beeps stop you will be asked to carry on tapping for a short amount of time. You will be asked to tap with your right, left, both hands together and both hands alternating. How fast the beeps are played will change throughout the experiment, but all you need to do is try to tap in time with them.
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In total this study will last approximately 30 minutes. You will be given an inconvenience allowance for your participation and may be able to help with travel expenses if you're travelling from outside from Nottinghamshire.
Requirements: Right-handed
Age range: 18-35
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Start date: Recruiting now! ​
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Please fill in this form or email Mairi Houlgreave (Mairi.Houlgreave1@nottingham.ac.uk) for more information
⊳ Finding physiological markers for tics
As you may know, we have been working on the development of a treatment for TS involving median nerve stimulation and we are working towards implementing this treatment into a wrist device to make this available to you outside of the clinic. We want to investigate the possibility of developing a device that triggers the stimulation automatically whenever you are about to tic. This would be developed once the first device triggered manually by pressing a button is on the market.
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For this study, we will examine whether we can find physiological markers that predict the execution of a tic. The study will involve being video recorded while physiological measures (eg. heart rate) are being recorded.
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Age range: 12+
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Start date: Recruiting now!
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Fill in this form or contact Mairi Houlgreave (Mairi.Houlgreave1@nottingham.ac.uk) for more information