Other

Inhibition in children with OCD and TS \cite{Mancini2018}
Executive control in TS and tic reduction \cite{Yaniv2018}
 

Treatment

 

Psychological interventions

Major study, preliminary results, https://psyarxiv.com/dp3qz
Group-based psychotherapeutic interventions for tics bear the promise of reduced costs and easier access to appropriate care. One recent paper has investigated the long term effects of this approach on tic severity, quality of life and school attendance in 28 children with TS 12 months after completing HRT training or education (a follow up to the 2016 study, \cite{Yates2016}), both showing positive effects in the long run but apparently without significant differences between both groups \cite{Dabrowski2018}
A Scandinavian study investigated a combined ERP / HRT protocol comparing group with individual sessions (n=27 per group, n=54 total). The efficacy on decreasing tic severity was similar in both treatment arms \citep{Nissen2018}
Traditionally, ERP sessions (as compared to HRT / CBIT) were supposed to last for two hours, making them more difficult and expensive. In this study, session duration was shortened to one hour and shorter exposure was as effective, if not more, than the classic format \citep{van2018}.
Final publication of this clinical trial:  Seragni G, Chiappedi M, Bettinardi B, Zibordi F, Colombo T, Reina C, Angelini L: Habit Reversal Training in children and adolescents with chronic tic disorders: an Italian randomized, single blind, pilot study. Minerva Pediatr 70(1):5-11, 2018. Link to full text
 

Medication

Swedish treatment registries were searched to identify patterns of medication prescribing for almost 7000 patients with TS/CTD from 2005–2013 \citep{29870273}. Among other interesting findings, ADHD drugs, antidepressants, and hypnotics/sedatives were all prescribed more often than antipsychotics.
A first direct comparison of pharmacotherapy with behavioral therapy in children and adolescents with TS / CTD  \cite{Rizzo2018}. Both approaches were effective in reducing tics and improving quality of life; however, only pharmacotherapy was effective in reducing OC symptoms. 
The D1 receptor antagonist ecopipam was compared to placebo in a double-blind, crossover, randomized controlled trial (RCT) in children and adolescents with TS \citep{chipkin2017}\citep{chipkin2018}. YGTSS total tic score (TTS) declined significantly more with the active drug. 
 

Neurosurgery

Efficacy and Safety of Deep Brain Stimulation in Tourette Syndrome: The International Tourette Syndrome Deep Brain Stimulation Public Database and Registry \citep{Martinez_Ramirez_2018}. This report summarizes information on 185 Tourette patients from 10 countries. Mean improvement in total YGTSS score was 40% at 6 months after vs. before surgery, and 45% at 12 months. The difference between stimulation sites (CM-Pf, anterior GPi, posterior GPi) was not statistically significant. About a third of patients had side effects, mostly related to stimulation not surgery.
\citet{Smeets2018} discuss ethical considerations regarding DBS in TS patients under the age of 18. \citet{Canaz2018} also offer their experience in two pediatric TS patients who underwent DBS.
Butson and colleagues, 3D analysis of DBS results (poster)