Tourette SyndromeTourette Syndrome

By Mary Jaskowiak By Mary Jaskowiak

What is Tourette Syndome?

Also known as TS, Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that shows before age 18

Multiple motor and/or vocal tics lasting more than a year Tics may include face, arms, trunk, etc., but can be more

complicated and include the entire body Vocal tics often occur with the body tics, and can include

grunting, throat clearing, etc. Associated problems can include attention problems (ADHD,

ADD, etc.)

(Tourette Syndrome Association)

Diagnosis

The tics can be hard to diagnose because there is no laboratory test, and sometimes they come and go

Diagnosis based on vocal and verbal tics for more than a year(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

No blood tests are needed, but neurological tests can rule out diseases that may be mistaken for tourettes

Many are self-diagnosed, but others may go to clinicians, but they often misdiagnose it

(MedicineNet)

Transmission

There is a 8.7% chance of directly inheriting the Tourette’s gene from a parent

There is up to a 2 % chance of inheriting Tourette’s from another relative

Many cases can be linked to chromosomal abnormalities such as deletion.

(Dr. Alsobrook)

A person with tourettes has about a 50% chance of passing it on to their offspring

(Health News Flash)

Transmission, continued

Signs and Symptoms

Someone has motor or verbal tics frequently for more than a year.

(MedicineNet)

These tics can include, but are not limited too, foot stomping, eye blinking, barking, head banging, touching other people, grimacing, involuntary kicking, spinning, hopping, jumping, grunting or sniffing, and uncontrollable vocal sounds

(Health Grades Inc.)

Treatment

Majority of people do not need treatment because their tics do not impair them

There are some medications for tic suppression, most are neuroleptics

No one medication helps everyone with tourettes, or helps with all symptoms, and they do have side effects

To manage side effects, must slowly start and stop use of medicine

(MedicineNet)

Living with Tourettes

Tim Howard is the starting goalie for England's team, Manchester United.

When he was first signed, many nasty headlines such as “Manchester

signs retarded goal

keeper” were published,

but he was passionate

and stuck with it.(Steve Kroft, 60 Minutes)

Reference List

Tourette Syndrome Association. (2010). What is Tourette Syndrome? Web. Retrieved May 2010, from http://www.tsa-usa.org/Medical/whatists.html

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2010). Diagnosis. Web. Retrieved May 2010, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/tourette-syndrome/diagnosis.html

MedicineNet. (2010). Tourette Syndrome. Web. Retrieved May 2010, from http://www.medicinenet.com/tourette_syndrome/page3.htm

Health Grades Inc. (2010). Symptoms of Tourette Syndrome. Web. Retrieved May 2010, from http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/t/tourette_syndrome/symptoms.htm#symptom_list

Reference List, Continued

Dr. Alsobrrok. Yale University of Medicine. (2010). Latest Genetic Developments with Tourette Syndrome. Web. Retrieved May 2010, from http://www.tourette-syndrome.com/ts_genetics.htm

Health News Flash. (2002). Is Tourette Syndrome Inherited? Web. Retrieved May 2010, from http://www.healthnewsflash.com/conditions/tourette_syndrome.php#heredity

Steve Croft. 60 Minutes. (2005) Tim Howard: Overcoming It All. Newscast Interview. Retrieved May 2010, can be found at http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=666784n&tag=related;photovideo