Amygdala size in children with Tourette's syndrome: an in vivo study using MRI volumetry

Objectives: The pathoanatomical basis of Tourette's syndrome (TS) has not been well defined yet. A core role of dopamine modulation of striatal circuits is supposed. Recent studies showed that changes in the cortico-striatal-thalamic-cortical circuitry (CSTC) and limbic loops may play an important role in behavioural abnormalities and in the inability to suppress tics. As the amygdala is on the one hand an important element of the limbic system and on the other hand gives major input into precentral cortical regions, the aim of this study was to investigate possible alterations of the amygdala volumes in vivo. M…