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 image to find out more
⊳Mapping sensory representations in Tourette Syndrome
Summary: Invovles MRI, questionnaires and some short sensory/behavioural tasks
The aim of this study is to find out how sensory functions might be linked to activity in the brain. To do this, we would like to measure activity in the brain associated with sensory processing 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, we will ask you to lay still while we use light vibrations on different areas of your face. You will also be asked to complete a task where you tap your fingers. 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.
Requirements: Right-handed, no history of epilepsy, no implanted electronic devices
Age range: 18-35
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Start date: Recruiting now! ​
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Please fill in this form or email Caitlin Smith (lpycmsm@nottingham.ac.uk) for more information
⊳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
⊳ Median nerve stimulation effects on ADHD, OCD or GAD symptoms
Electrical stimulation of the median nerve can reduce symptoms in Tourette syndrome. About 90% of individuals with TS present other conditions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). This study is therefore investigating the effects of median nerve stimulation on symptoms of these disorders. Participants will be asked to rate a specific symptom during stimulation of their wrist.
Age range: 12+
Requirements: No implanted electronic devices. No individuals with epilepsy.
Please note: This study accepts participants with tic disorders ands co-occurring ADHD/OCD/GAD
Start date: Recruiting now!
Travel expenses and inconvenience allowance: We provide an inconvenience allowance for taking part and we are able to assist with travel expenses if you are travelling from outside Nottinghamshire.
Fill in this form or contact Penelope Stephens (lpzps@nottingham.ac.uk) for more information.
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⊳ 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) from more information