The European Society for the Study of Tourette Syndrome (ESSTS), held its 2010 meeting in Dresden, Germany on the 14^th-15^th May. Last year we reported that the society had started work on writing European Clinical Guidelines for Tourette syndrome (TS). We were very pleased to hear this year that the Guidelines are almost finished and will hopefully be published by November 2010. The guidelines will be translated into all participating ESSTS countries' languages and they will help unify and improve the standards of care for Tourette’s patients throughout Europe. Today, doctor’s knowledge of the assessment and treatment for Tourette’s can differ greatly, both between and within countries.

Another exciting news we found out at the meeting was that the Society had been successful in a bid for a COST (European Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology) grant of 400,000€. COST is supported by the EU Framework Programme. 10 countries had worked together on the proposal, and the project will last for four years. The project will build upon the existing ESSTS and create a pan-European, interdisciplinary scientific network which has the goal to promote the study of TS, improve the standards of care, and educate the public and professionals, thereby combating stigmatisation of people with TS.

Specifically, the grant will go towards setting up an online database for the study of TS, where clinical and genetic data from patients with TS can be collected across Europe, and publish and distribute the European Clinical Guidelines for TS mentioned previously. The grant will also provide support to European genetic studies by the formation of a multi-disciplinary working group of experts who will discuss and decide on issues to facilitate European TS biobanking efforts. Finally, the grant will contribute to outreach activities such as a multilingual project website, organisation of an international conference on the study of TS, distribution of educational material to educators and medical professionals, and to keep a dialogue with policy makers on the issues of public awareness for TS.

At the meeting, we also found out that some members of the ESSTS are working on writing a much larger, FP7 EU grant proposal, which - if successful - would go towards identifying genetic and environmental interactions in TS and related disorders. 

Next year’s meeting will be held around the same time in London, and will be organised by Tourettes Action.