Tourette's syndrome

Tourette's syndrome (also known as Tourette Syndrome or TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics. The disorder is named for Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette, the pioneering French neurologist who in 1885 first described the condition in an 86-year-old French noblewoman.

Symptoms

The early symptoms of Tourette's syndrome are typically noticed first in childhood, with the average onset between the ages of 3 and 9 years. Tourette's syndrome is defined by multiple motor and vocal tics lasting for more than one year. The first symptoms usually are involuntary movements (tics) of the face, arms, limbs or trunk. These tics are frequent, repetitive and rapid. The most common first symptom is a facial tic, such as blinking. Other tics may follow.

Causes

The exact cause of Tourette's syndrome is not known. It is likely to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Chemicals in the brain that transmit nerve impulses (neurotransmitters), including dopamine and serotonin, might play a role.

Diagnosis

There's no specific test that can diagnose Tourette's syndrome. The diagnosis is based on the history of your signs and symptoms. The criteria used for diagnosing Tourette's syndrome include:

• Both multiple motor and one or more vocal tics present at some time, although not necessarily simultaneously
• Tics occur several times a day, nearly every day or intermittently, for more than a year
• Tics begin before age 18
• Tics are not caused by medications, other substances or another medical condition

Treatment

There's no cure for Tourette's syndrome, but treatments are available. Many people with Tourette's syndrome don't need treatment when symptoms aren't troublesome. Tics often lessen or become controlled after the teen years.

See also

• Neurological disorders
• Dopamine
• Serotonin

Tourette's syndrome Resources
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