Davide Martino, MD, PhD, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, talks on the multicenter EMTICS (European Multicentre Tics in Children Studies) study, which investigated the role of gene-environment interactions in the development of tics in children. A key part of the study looked at whether streptococcal infections played a role in the development of pediatric acute neuropsychiatric syndromes, such as Tourette’s syndrome. Dr Martino explains prospective longitudinal studies of children with Tourette’s syndrome and their siblings who do not have any tics. These studies showed that there was no significant association between new streptococcal infections and the exacerbation of existing tics (in patients with Tourette’s syndrome) or onset of new tics (in their siblings). He further discusses how systematic screening to identify streptococcal infections with the aim of reducing the risk of developing new tics or worsening existing tics would likely not be effective. This interview took place at the American Academy of Neurology 2022 Congress in Seattle, WA.
