University of Minnesota’s MnTiC Lab Designated a National Center of Excellence by the Tourette Association of America

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (04/01/2026)—The Tourette Association of America (TAA) has officially designated the University of Minnesota’s MnTiC Lab as a Center of Excellence (CofE). This designation recognizes the lab’s leadership in clinical care, research innovation, clinician education, and its deep-rooted commitment to community engagement for individuals and families affected by Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders. These neurodevelopmental disorders affect about 1 out of every 50 children. The main symptom is involuntary motor and vocal tics, but these conditions often come with other learning, emotional, and behavioral challenges.

The CofE program recognizes medical and academic institutions that promote the highest standards of evidence-based care and research. Based at the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain (MIDB), the MnTiC Lab includes a clinical care team of interdisciplinary providers and a research team focused on developing new ways to diagnose and treat tic disorders/Tourette Syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), compulsivity and related conditions. This honor means that the MnTiC Lab will join a collaborative network dedicated to improving quality of life and fostering inclusion.

“Our mission has always been to support wellbeing in the Tourette community by advancing scientific research and clinical care in ways that are responsive to the community's needs,” says Dr. Christine Conelea, director of the MnTiC Lab and CofE as well as an associate professor in the University of Minnesota Medical School’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. “We are honored by TAA’s recognition of our team’s efforts to help this community thrive in Minnesota and beyond.”

A core pillar of the MnTiC Lab’s mission is the integration of “lived experience experts” into the scientific process. This approach ensures that research is responsive to the actual needs of the communities they serve. For many families, the lab’s work represents a vital bridge between scientific advancement and personal support.

"Having a Tourette Center of Excellence in the area is a huge source of pride and security. It is a designation that assures me my kids are receiving care at a place which is knowledgeable and meets standards of care for patients of Tourette’s,” says Crystal Neuman, co-founder of the Minnesota TAA chapter. “MnTiC has become our safety net. As our family continues on this journey of Tourette’s, we know there is support from the center. My children are cared for as individual people. They are known, and accepted. Cherished for their uniqueness. This extends from the providers to the nurse staff to the ladies at the front desk. We have formed a relationship with each of them. And it’s nice to know our family is not alone with this diagnosis.” 

By prioritizing community engagement alongside clinical research, the MnTiC Lab continues to challenge the stigma associated with tic disorders/Tourette’s Syndrome and promote a culture of empowerment.

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About the MnTiC Lab

The MnTiC Lab is a research group at the University of Minnesota dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of tic disorders/Tourette Syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), compulsivity and related conditions. Through partnership with community members and interdisciplinary experts, the lab develops improved treatments and educational resources to support individuals and families. To stay updated on the latest research findings and community events, visit the MnTiC Lab website to explore actively recruiting research studies, including local, national and international online and in-person studies, and learn more about our mission and team. To learn more about clinical care, visit the MIDB clinic webpage.