Tourette syndrome (TS), named after the French neurologist who first described it, is a neurological disorder characterized by motor tics (brief, non-rhythmic, stereotyped movements) and vocal tics.
TS is usually first noticed in childhood between 2 and 15 years of age. Depending on how strictly it’s defined, experts estimate that TS affects 1 in 100 people. Boys are 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with this condition than girls.
Although there is no cure for TS, most people do not need medical treatment if symptoms aren’t bothersome. Severe cases of TS can cause behaviour that many people find bizarre, rude, or alarming. Many people who have heard of this condition associate it with loud and uncontrollable swearing. This is one possible symptom of TS, but it’s a fairly rare one. Most people with TS have much less severe tics.
People with TS may also have other associated behaviours or symptoms, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Not everyone with TS has these conditions and the link between TS and these conditions is unclear.
The symptoms of TS usually improve during late teenage years, but other medical conditions associated with TS, such as depression and anxiety, may continue into adulthood. People with TS have a normal life expectancy and intelligence.
Although the exact cause of TS is unknown, researchers believe that is it likely caused by changes in certain areas of the brain as well as imbalances of the chemical messengers in the brain (such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine).
Genetics and family history also play a role. TS was once thought to be genetically inherited as a dominant trait, but recent studies show that the genetics of TS is much more complicated.
Children of parents with TS may not develop TS at all or may develop TS with varying degrees of severity. And some people who have TS have no family history of the condition. Boys born to a parent with TS are more likely than girls to have the condition. Girls, however, are more likely to have associated behaviour conditions such as OCD.
Environmental factors may also play an important role in the development of TS.
There is no cure for TS, and most people with TS do not need medications to control tics or other behaviour symptoms. However, people with symptoms that interfere with school, social life, or work can benefit from behavioural therapies or medications to help control symptoms.
Habit reversal training (HRT) may be effective for controlling symptoms of TS and improving tics. HRT involves learning to recognize the early warning signs of a tic and training yourself to do a different movement that makes it difficult to do the tic.
Neuroleptic medications such as haloperidol*, aripiprazole, or pimozide can be used to help suppress tics. The goal of using these medications is not to eliminate tics but to control them enough, while avoiding bothersome side effects. If side effects do occur, they can usually be managed by lowering the dose or by sometimes adding another medication to control the side effect. Clonidine, a high blood pressure medication, or guanfacine, a medication used to treat ADHD, may help with certain TS symptoms. Because the symptoms of TS can fluctuate over time (days to years), a long observation period will be necessary for determining how effective a treatment is.
Other treatment options include botulinum toxin injection and surgical implantation of deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes connected to a current generator (similar to a pacemaker for the heart) for reduction of motor and vocal tics in affected muscles. DBS should only be offered to well-vetted patients that have not had success with other therapies.
Many children with TS also have ADHD. There is some concern that the medications given for this condition (e.g., methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine) can increase tics. You should talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this. OCD can be managed with medications and behavioural therapy.
Most children with TS attend a regular school, but they may require special settings to help with their learning (i.e., untimed exams, writing exams in a private area). It is important that teachers and other students understand TS and that they are compassionate and tolerant of a student with TS. If not, some TS symptoms can lead to severe problems at school, both with teachers and with other children.
Psychotherapy may also help people with TS cope with the psychological and social effects of the condition.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Tourettes-Syndrome
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