Hyperfunctioning and -binding of procedural memory processes in Tourette syndrome: the role of neurophysiological and structure-related neurobiochemical processes

图雷特综合征（TS）是一种多方面的神经发育障碍，其特征是至少一种发声抽搐和多种运动抽搐，这些都不能用药物或其他医学状况来解释。最近的研究表明，TS的程序性记忆功能增强。TS的非典型认知和抽搐被认为与皮质纹状体回路的改变有关。然而，TS，抽搐和结构改变的程序性功能亢进之间的机械联系是缺失的。本研究的目的是探讨TS中程序性记忆功能亢进的神经生理学和结构相关的神经生化过程。为此，我提出了两个工作包，以检查皮质-纹状体网络在TS学习概率信息的作用，通过测试程序学习性能之间的联系，其神经生理相关性（ERP，和任务相关的EEG功能连接）。程序学习过程中的EEG连接将在TS沿着ERP中首次进行检查，以了解学习，记忆再激活和记忆干扰过程中大脑网络之间的动态相互作用。此外，将应用EEG波束形成方法。在TS程序性功能亢进的理论方法的指导下，该项目将在多个层面上为TS的程序性处理和抽动形成提供新的基本见解。也就是说，霍梅尔的事件编码理论将被用来作为一个框架，分析在学习和改变在一个新的环境中获得的信息的绑定。这种方法将被用作抽搐如何发展的认知模型，以及如何改变它们。总之，我提出了一系列多层次的，神经科学的实验，以配合抽动症的抽搐形成和认知的理论。

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a multifaceted neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by at least one vocal tic and multiple motor tics, which are not explained by medications or another medical condition. Recent studies presented enhanced procedural memory functions in TS. Both atypical cognition and tics in TS are thought to be related to the alterations of corticostriatal loops. However, a mechanistic link between procedural hyperfunctioning in TS, tics and structural alterations is missing. The goal of this project is to examine the neurophysiological and structure-related neurobiochemical processes underlying a hyperfunctioning of procedural memory in TS. For that, I propose two work packages to examine the role of cortico-striatal networks in learning probabilistic information in TS, by testing the link amongst procedural learning performance, its neurophysiological correlates (ERPs, and task-related EEG functional connectivity). EEG connectivity during procedural learning will be examined for the first time in TS along with ERPs to understand the dynamic interplay between brain networks during learning, memory reactivation, and memory interference. Moreover, EEG beamforming methods will be applied. Guided by a theoretical approach of procedural hyperfunctioning in TS, the project will provide novel fundamental insight into procedural processing and tic formation in TS at multiple levels. Namely, Hommel’s Theory of Event Coding will be used as a framework to analyze the binding of information during learning and changing the acquired information in a new environment. This approach will be used as a cognitive model of how tics develop, and how can they be modified. In sum, I propose a series of multilevel, neuroscientific experiments to dovetail the theory of tic formation and cognition in TS.