Tourette disorder

=Tourette Disorder = Tourette Disorder, also known as Tourette Syndrome, is a neurological condition characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics. It is named after Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette, the French neurologist who first described the condition in 1885.

Symptoms

Tourette Disorder is primarily identified by the presence of both motor and vocal tics. These tics can vary in frequency and severity and often change over time.

Motor Tics

Motor tics are sudden, brief, repetitive movements. Common motor tics include:

• Eye blinking
• Facial grimacing
• Shoulder shrugging
• Head jerking

Vocal Tics

Vocal tics involve involuntary sounds produced by moving air through the nose, mouth, or throat. Examples include:

• Throat clearing
• Grunting
• Sniffing
• Barking

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Tourette Disorder is clinical, based on the history of tics. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the criteria for diagnosis include:

• The presence of multiple motor tics and one or more vocal tics at some time during the illness, although not necessarily concurrently.
• Tics may wax and wane in frequency but have persisted for more than one year since the first tic onset.
• Onset before age 18.
• The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or another medical condition.

Causes

The exact cause of Tourette Disorder is unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Research suggests that abnormalities in certain brain regions, neurotransmitters, and neural pathways may play a role.

Treatment

There is no cure for Tourette Disorder, but several treatment options can help manage symptoms:

Behavioral Therapy

• Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) is a type of behavioral therapy that has been shown to be effective in reducing tic severity.

Medications

• Medications such as antipsychotics, alpha-adrenergic agonists, and others may be prescribed to help control tics.

Supportive Therapies

• Support groups and educational interventions can help individuals and families cope with the disorder.

Prognosis

The prognosis for individuals with Tourette Disorder varies. Many people experience a reduction in tics as they transition into adulthood. However, some may continue to have significant symptoms that require ongoing management.

Epidemiology

Tourette Disorder affects approximately 1% of the population, with males being more frequently affected than females. The condition often begins in childhood, with the average onset between ages 5 and 7.

See Also

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Leckman, J. F., & Cohen, D. J. (1999). Tourette's Syndrome Tics, Obsessions, Compulsions: Developmental Psychopathology and Clinical Care. John Wiley & Sons.
• Robertson, M. M. (2000). Tourette syndrome, associated conditions and the complexities of treatment. Brain, 123(3), 425-462.

NIH genetic and rare disease info

• NIH info on Tourette disorder

Tourette disorder is a rare disease.