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Research Studies

The Phase 3 D1AMOND study is researching a study drug called ecopipam in children over the age of 6, adolescents, and adults who have Tourette’s Disorder.

It is estimated that Tourette’s Disorder affects about 1 in 160 children in the United States and millions more children, adolescents, and adults throughout the world. The currently approved therapies for their condition sometimes come with undesirable side effects. The Phase 3 D1AMOND study is conducting research on ecopipam, which is designed to function differently than currently approved therapies.

What should I know about the Phase 3 D1AMOND study?

It is a multicenter study
It includes an open-label period and a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized withdrawal period
Participants will be in the study for approximately 8 months
To be eligible for this study, participants must:
- Be at least 6 years of age
- Weigh at least 18 kg (39.6 lbs)
- Have a diagnosis of Tourette’s Disorder
- Have both motor and vocal tics

This is not a complete list of study requirements. The study doctor will discuss all the requirements and answer any questions.

The health and safety of participants will be monitored throughout the study
Study participants will receive all study-related procedures and the investigational drug at no cost
Participants who complete the study will have the opportunity to enter an open-label extension study

Tracy Hammer Iris Kathol

Email: tahammer@ucalgary.ca or Email: ikathol@ucalgary.ca

Phone: 403-210-7590. Phone: 403-210-6830

This study has been approved by the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board Ethics ID# REB22-1825

We know that both genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development and severity of neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, ADHD, OCD and Tourette syndrome. The gut microbiota helps to regulate how the immune system matures and how the brain develops and functions, in what is called the gut-brain axis. Because of this, we are interested in if there is also a similar association between these conditions and the gut microbiota in the hope that we can develop new treatments in the future. We are hoping to connect with families that have a neurodiverse child and an unaffected sibling (without a diagnosis) between the ages of 5 and 18, so that we can understand the relationships between neurodevelopment, behaviour, and the gut microbiota.

The study has three components:

An online survey
A stool sample
A short telephone survey

Each child will receive a $60 Everything gift card.

To participate in research study, please contact:

Mehrafarin Ramezani

Email: minddfulxd@ucalgary.ca

Telephone: 403 612 0978

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Researchers at the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta are conducting this study to learn about the co-occurrence of tic disorders, language disorders, fluency disorders and social communication in children. This research will help improve the understanding of how these conditions relate to one another, and if their co-occurrence influences outcome.

If you would like to learn how to participate in this study

Please email the Tourette OCD Alberta Network

Email: catherine.deans1@ucalgary.ca or julian.fletcher@ucalgary.ca

The purpose of a registry is to collect information in order to help doctors, researchers and patients learn more about a disease or condition. This information will include data on age, gender, diagnosis, comorbid conditions and symptom severity. It will be used for research purposes, which will aid in our understanding of tic disorders. This will help us to improve upon the care and quality of life of people with tic disorders.

There are two tic registries: one for adults and one for children. To participate in the Tic Disorders Clinical Registry, we will record information on the patient's (adult or child) age, gender, diagnosis, other conditions present and the severity of their symptoms. This information is collected during typical clinic visits, but we need yours and your child’s permission to use this data in a registry for research purposes.