Tourette Syndrome

Causes

The exact cause is not known. Certain genes and brain chemicals are thought to play a role.

Genetic Material

TS is inherited through genes, which make up DNA.

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Risk Factors

This problem usually starts in children. It is more common in men.

Symptoms

A person with Tourette Syndrome has tics that they cannot control. They often happen every day and range from mild to severe. They may happen less when a person is distracted and more when they are stressed.

A person may have:

• Motor tics:
  • Simple—eye blinking, head jerking, arm or shoulder shrugging
  • Complex—jumping, smelling, touching things or other people, twirling around
• Vocal tics:
  • Simple—throat clearing, coughing, sniffing, grunting, yelping, barking
  • Complex—saying words or phrases that do not make sense, saying obscene or socially unacceptable words

Tics may happen throughout life. Symptoms may get better during the late teen years.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms. A doctor who treats the nervous system can help. Choice are:

Therapy

Behavioral therapies can help a person form habits to manage tics. Therapy may include:

• Learning to replace tics with other motions or sounds that are more acceptable.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce obsessive-compulsive behaviors.

Psychotherapy may also be used to help a person learn how to cope with the disorder.

Medications

Most people do not need medicine. Medicine to ease tics may be given to people whose tics are severe and not helped by other methods.

Prevention

There are no current guidelines to prevent Tourette Syndrome.