In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Christine Conelea, a brilliant research psychologist from the University of Minnesota, who's leading the charge in cutting-edge research around Tourette Syndrome (TS), OCD, and anxiety. We dive into the transformative innovations happening in her lab—from developing computer vision tools that can detect tics via video recordings to clinical trials testing the effectiveness of CBIT and brain stimulation therapies like TMS.

Dr. Conelea shares how her team is using AI to identify motor and vocal tics and how this research could improve diagnostic access for people across the country. We talk about what’s happening in the brain during tics, how treatment like CBIT and TMS might actually change neural circuits, and the importance of tailoring interventions based on the person’s profile.

Episode Highlights:

[1:00] Meet Dr. Christine Conelea—cutting-edge researcher from the University of Minnesota diving deep into TS, OCD, and anxiety.
[2:20] Why diagnosis delays are such a problem in the TS community—and how her lab is using AI and video data to solve it.
[6:46] How you can participate in their research by uploading videos from the comfort of home.
[8:30] The vision: a diagnostic tool that supports clinicians with objective data from simple video clips.
[13:50] CBIT’s roots and Christine’s journey into TS research—from grad school basement to leading national trials.
[18:40] Exploring why CBIT works for some but not others—how brain inhibition plays a role.
[22:20] A personal story on why I (Michael) stopped CBIT as a teen and thoughts on revisiting it now.
[26:25] The role of TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) in strengthening the brain’s “brake system” for tics.
[30:48] Can therapy and TMS reshape the brain? What the early data is showing us.
[34:46] Applying the same neuroscience-driven approach to OCD treatment with ERP and TMS.
[40:33] Advice for newly diagnosed families—and the power of education and demystifying TS.
[42:47] Superpowers in the TS community—how a stronger “habit system” might explain our gifts in music, sports, and more.

Links & Resources:

• Dr. Conelea's professional page - https://med.umn.edu/bio/christine-conelea
• MnTiC Lab - https://ticlab.umn.edu/
• Checking out ongoing clinical studies - https://ticlab.umn.edu/research

Remember, each story shared on this podcast brings light and understanding to the diverse experiences within the Tourette's community. Your journey is your own, and it's filled with potential and promise. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to like, share, and leave a review to help us connect with more listeners.

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