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Tourette syndrome or disorder is a genetic inherited neurological disorder, which means it can be passed on from birth parents to their children. It causes people to make involuntary and uncontrollable vocal sounds and/or movements (tics).
It is an autosomal dominant disorder. Autosomal means that both genders are affected. Dominant means that only 1 copy of the gene is needed to have the condition. A parent with TD or the gene (SLITRK1) for TD has a 1 in 2 chance to pass the gene on to each child. The SLITRK1 protein may help guide the growth of specialized extensions (axons and dendrites) that allow each nerve cell to communicate with nearby cells.
It is prevalent in up to 1% of the population. The signs of Tourette syndrome usually begin between 2 and 21 years of age. Males are affected about 3 times more often than females, and onset usually occurs between 3 and 8 years of age. By age 18 years, more than half of affected individuals are free of tics, but they may persist into adulthood.
Motor tics include blinking, nose twitching, and head jerking to more complex throwing, hitting, or making rude gestures. Vocal tics examples are niffling, throat clearing, blowing, coughing, echolalia, or coprolalia. Simple tics are sudden, brie, and repetitive tics involve a limited number of muscle groups. Complex tics are distinct, coordinated patterns of movements involving several muscle groups.
There is no cure to Tourettes but it typically improves with age
Doctors might recommend blood tests and imaging studies such as an MRI. The criteria to be diagnosed are, that both motor tics and vocal tics are present, although not necessarily at the same time, tics occur several times a day, nearly every day or intermittently, for more than a year, tics begin before age 18, aren't caused by medications, other substances or another medical condition, must change over time in location, frequency, type, complexity or severity.
Medications that block or lessen dopamine can help tic control. Botulinum (Botox) injections. An injection into the affected muscle might help relieve a simple or vocal tic. ADHD medications can help increase concentration. Central adrenergic inhibitors might help control behavioral symptoms such as impulse control problems and rage attacks. Antidepressants might help control symptoms of sadness, anxiety, and OCD. Therapies such as behavioral theory, psychotherapy, and deep brain stimulation (DBS) are also used.
The importance of understanding Tourrettes is how it affects children specifically, children with TS are more likely to Have an individualized education program (IEP), have a parent contacted about school problems, and not complete their homework. Social competence, children with TS have higher levels of behavioral problems and lower levels of social skills.
Conditions associated with TS are attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, sleep disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, pain related to tics, especially headaches, and anger management problems.
Current studies are being done such as diagnostic tool bolsters Tourette’s syndrome research, wrist device brings down tic severity, drug that is promising outcome in phase 2b trials for Tourette’s syndrome, closed-loop deep brain stimulation shows encouraging results as Tourette’s therapy, and cannabinoid-based drug to begin clinical trials soon.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, May 17). Tourette Syndrome and Public Health: Bridging The Gap. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/tourette/bridgingthegap.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, May 4). Data & Statistics on Tourette Syndrome. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/tourette/data.html
Giordano, K. J., & Edelman, M. (2019, June 18). Understanding Behavioral Symptoms in Tourette Syndrome. Tourette Association of America. https://tourette.org/resource/understanding-behavioral-symptoms-tourette-syndrome/
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018, August 8). Tourette Syndrome. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tourette-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350470
Peter, R. M. (2023, October 17). Five latest advancements in Tourette’s syndrome research. Labiotech.eu. https://www.labiotech.eu/best-biotech/tourette-syndrome-research/
Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia. (2023, January). Tourette syndrome. healthdirect. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/tourette-syndrome
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, September 20). Tourette syndrome. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/tourette-syndrome#:~:text=For%20some%20people%2C%20TS%20can,have%20a%20normal%20life%20expectancy.