Universität zu Köln

Schmidgen, Julia ORCID: 0000-0002-3489-9718, Heinen, Theresa Valentine ORCID: 0009-0009-6145-0586, Schmitt, Felix J. ORCID: 0000-0002-5902-9372, Konrad, Kerstin ORCID: 0000-0001-9039-2615 and Bender, Stephan ORCID: 0000-0001-8199-3785 (2025). Altered network connectivity and global efficiency in tourette syndrome: insights into sensorimotor integration. NeuroImage: Clinical, 48. pp. 1-14. Elsevier. ISSN 22131582

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Abstract

[Artikel-Nr.: 103845] This study investigates the role of theta connectivity in network mechanisms related to perception–action-binding, sensorimotor integration, and motor preparation in children with Tourette’s Syndrome (TS). High-density EEG data were collected from 21 children with drug-naïve TS and 21 age-matched healthy controls during a task combining an informative warning stimulus (S1) with a behaviorally relevant imperative stimulus (S2). Event-related phase synchronization and global efficiency were calculated to analyze stimulus processing and identify neural networks responsible for integrating sensory information with motor preparation processes. Results revealed widespread alterations in theta-band connectivity in TS, with patients exhibiting reduced connectivity and impaired network efficiency during S1 processing. S2 processing revealed subtler group differences than S1, manifesting as shifts in network organization rather than overall loss in connectivity strength. Remarkably, global efficiency during S2 processing remained intact in the TS group. In both groups, higher global efficiency during S2 correlated with faster reaction times, highlighting a direct link between network efficiency and motor response speed. This suggests that, despite altered sensory processing during information integration of the warning stimulus, motor execution mechanisms remain preserved in TS. The reduced connectivity during S1 processing may represent a compensatory mechanism aimed at weakening perception–action binding, potentially preventing premature motor output and aiding in tic control. These findings support the view of TS as a network disorder extending beyond traditional cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuits and suggest potential targets for interventions to modulate network efficiency and compensatory mechanisms in TS.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Schmidgen, Julia UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3489-9718 UNSPECIFIED Heinen, Theresa Valentine UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6145-0586 UNSPECIFIED Schmitt, Felix J. UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5902-9372 UNSPECIFIED Konrad, Kerstin UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9039-2615 UNSPECIFIED Bender, Stephan UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8199-3785 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-806440
Identification Number:	10.1016/j.nicl.2025.103845
Journal or Publication Title:	NeuroImage: Clinical
Volume:	48
Page Range:	pp. 1-14
Number of Pages:	14
Date:	13 July 2025
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	22131582
Language:	English
Faculty:	External institution Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Faculty of Medicine
Divisions:	Außeruniversitäre Forschungseinrichtungen > Forschungszentrum Jülich Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences > Department of Biology > Zoologisches Institut Faculty of Medicine > Kinder- und Jugendmedizin > Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin
Subjects:	Psychology Life sciences Medical sciences Medicine
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Tourette syndrome ; Sensorimotor integration ; Theta connectivity ; Phase locking values ; Global efficiency English
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/80644