Tourette Syndrome is typically treated with drugs that block or reduce the function of dopamine (a brain chemical involved in movement). However, many of these drugs have adverse effects including irreversible, involuntary movements, typically affecting the face, known as tardive dyskinesia. Newer drugs may have lower risk of tardive dyskinesia. However, many of these drugs are still in clinical trials or are very expensive when used off-label (without FDA approval) to treat Tourette Syndrome. Given these limitations, exploring the potential of other drugs is essential in helping patients.~Several studies have shown that serotonin, another chemical in the brain like dopamine, may also play a role in the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome. Serotonin is already the target of many drugs in the treatment of depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder which frequently occur in patients with Tourette Syndrome. Pimavanserin is also a drug that works on serotonin system. This means it may be helpful in the treatment of Tourette Syndrome.
This research study is determining if a drug called Pimavanserin if safe and effective in the treatment of the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome. Pimavanserin is an investigational drug for Tourette Syndrome, which means it has not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat Tourette Syndrome. Pimavanserin has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for hallucinations in Parkinson's Disease. It is currently marketed under the name NUPLAZID (pimavanserin) capsules by Acadia Pharmaceuticals.