An Overview of Tourette Syndrome:
Tourette syndrome, a condition of the nervous system, is characterized by unwanted, repetitive movements or sounds that the individual cannot control. Usually referred to as tics, these motions or sounds are typically classified as either simple or complex motor or vocal actions. Simple tics include, but are not limited to, rapid blinking, eye darting, shoulder shrugging, and grunting while complex tics may include stepping in particular patterns, blurting out offensive words, and hopping. Complex tics are much more rare and the portrayal of the condition in the media is often inaccurate. In fact, coprolalia, or the expression of socially unacceptable words, is only prevalent in approximately 10%-15% of individuals, as listed by the NIH. Typically, tics appear during youth and slowly become less frequent as the individual gets older.
Although Tourette syndrome can occasionally be present in families, the U.S. National Library of Medicine states, “The inheritance pattern of Tourette syndrome is unclear. [...] Tourette syndrome was previously thought to have an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, which suggests that one mutated copy of a gene in each cell would be sufficient to cause the condition. Several decades of research have shown that this is not the case.”
The exact cause of Tourette syndrome is unknown, however it is suspected that it may be attributed to genetics combined with the individual’s environment. Additionally, researchers think that neurotransmitters and changes that occur to them play a role in producing tics. In some individuals, mutations in certain genes, namely the SLITRK1 gene, have caused Tourette syndrome due to changes in the production of proteins that help develop neurons. However, this is not the case with a majority of individuals, so further research is still necessary.
Signs and Symptoms:
Symptoms often appear at an age ranging between three and ten years, making Tourette syndrome something that is diagnosed rather young. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “TS occurs in people from all ethnic groups; males are affected about three to four times more often than females. It is estimated that 200,000 Americans have the most severe form of TS, and as many as one in 100 exhibit milder and less complex symptoms such as chronic motor or vocal tics.” The article continues by describing symptoms as worst in teenagers. Over time, the tics that come along with the condition may change and in most cases, even reduce with age although there are always instances where the condition may worsen entering adulthood.
Diagnosis and Treatment:
Tics are a strong indicator of Tourette syndrome and the condition must be diagnosed by a health professional. A diagnosis typically follows once an individual has experienced both motor and vocal tics for at least a year. Some doctors use the prevalence of other conditions to aid their diagnosis, especially given that certain tics or manifestations may be unclear when diagnosing. To add on to this, imaging like MRIs, CT scans, EEGs, or other testing such as blood tests may be a part of the diagnosis for some.
Tourette syndrome is not curable and while tics do not prevent individuals from living out their everyday lives, many treatments can be adopted to manage the symptoms. While some individuals do not desire medications as tics may not impair them, some medications that can be used when tics are severe are neuroleptics. Since side effects such as weight gain, tremors, and sedation can result from neuroleptic usage, often these medications are taken and soon after the dosage is reduced to manage the side effects. Individuals with the condition may also opt for talk therapy or awareness training. The condition can be extremely frustrating for the individuals who live with it and it is important to build a support system that helps them address the personal challenges of Tourette syndrome.
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