Tourette syndrome is an inherited neurological disorder with onset in

childhood, characterized by the presence of multiple physical tics and

at least one vocal tic.

TOURETTES

THE BACK STORY

The first presentation of Tourette syndrome is thought to be in a 1489 book, “Witch's hammer” by Jakob Sprenger and Heinrich Kraemer, describing a priest whose tics were "believed to be related to possession by the devil".

A French doctor, Jean Marc Gaspard Itard, reported the first case of Tourette syndrome in 1825

At-risk males are more likely to have tics and at-risk females are more likely to have obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

HOW TO DIAGNOSIS

Doctors diagnosis patients with tourettes after verifying that the patient has had both motor and vocal tics for at least 1 year.  The existence of other neurological or psychiatric conditions can also help doctors arrive at a diagnosis. 

Doctors can also use neuroimaging studies, such as magnetic resonance imaging , computerized tomography (, and electroencephalogram scans, or certain blood tests may be used to rule out other conditions that might be confused with TS. 

TRANSMISSIONTourettes has been found to be an inherited trait.Cases vary all the time. Sometimes children will

get tourettes when no one in the whole family tree has ever had a case. It’s a very specific mixture that makes up the genes to get tourettes.

Even though it’s such a weird process how some people receive it, it is commonly passed down as a semi dominant or intermediate inheritance .

SYMPTOMSObviously, ticking. Going along with eye

blinking and other vision irregularities, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, and head or shoulder jerking.

Vocal signs are repetitive throat-clearing, sniffing, or grunting sounds

TREATMENTS!Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate

and dextroamphetamine can lessen ADHD symptoms in people with TS without causing tics to become more severe. However, all these medications so far cause terrible side effects.

Physical therapy is a common way for people with tourettes to turn to that have it severely because it teaches them how to control their tics.

Psychotherapy can help the person with TS better cope with the disorder and deal with the secondary social and emotional problems that sometimes occur

REFERENCE LISTBethesda. (n.d.). Tourette Syndrome Fact

Sheet: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Retrieved May 20, 2010, from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders

Alsobrook. (n.d.). The Genetics of Tourette Syndrome. Tourette-Syndrome.com - Home of Tourette Syndrome Online. Retrieved May 20, 2010, from http://www.tourette-syndrome.com/ts_genetics.htm