Tourette Syndrome

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder that most often is first diagnosed in childhood, but it may be recognized at any age. Although this disorder is usually passed genetically in families, as many as 35% of Tourette's syndrome patients are the only ones in their families with the disorder. Scientists believe, therefore, that other physical factors, as well as environmental factors, are important reasons why people develop TS, in addition to inheritance.

Physical symptoms
Tourette syndrome has distinctive physical symptoms. Motor tics are the repeated purposeless, uncontrollable movements of a body part. This may cause, for example, the head to jerk several times to one side, or winking many times in a row. Vocal tics are uncontrollable sounds and may result in the person shouting, cursing, or making noises repeatedly. Tics may happen in bunches (bursts), and may increase in intensity (wax) or decrease (wane). Some tics may be suppressed voluntarily for a short time.

Behavioral symptoms
Individuals with Tourette syndrome may have behavioral issues such as sudden outbursts of rage, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Individuals with Tourette syndrome may be easily distracted and impulsive. It is believed that Tourette syndrome involves dysfunction in the areas of the brain that control behavior.

A study published in 1999 showed that autistic children had high rates of Tourette syndrome compared to children who were not autistic. Another study found that children with Tourette's were more likely than other children to have allergies. A survey of parents of children with Tourette syndrome found that parents considered attention and learning problems to be their greatest concern, while the motor and vocal tics were less important.

Treatment
The medications most commonly used to treat the tics of Tourette syndrome are clonidine (Catapres) and guanfacine (Tenex). For more severe tics, haloperidol (Haldol) or risperidone (Risperdal) may be effective. If an individual has behavioral symptoms, other medication may be needed.

Last updated 4/30/06

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