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Other treatment options include behavioral treatments and psychotherapy. Most people with TS experience their worst tic symptoms in their early teens, but tics typically lessen and become controlled by the late teens to early 20s. Some individuals may actually become symptom free or no longer need medication for control their tics.

Tourette syndrome can be a chronic condition with symptoms lasting a lifetime; in some cases, tics may worsen in adulthood. Skip to main content.

Submit Search. You are here Home » Disorders » All Disorders. Tourette Syndrome Information Page. What research is being done? See More About Research. Show More. Show Less. Search Disorders. Someof the more common tics include: eye blinking and other vision irregularities shoulder shrug facial grimacing, sometimes combined with a shoulder shrug head or shoulder jerking Examples of vocal tics include: repetitice throat clearing, barking, or grunting sounds repeating one's phrasing, or those of others uttering swear or vulgar words Some tics include self-harm, such as punching oneself in the face.

Obsessive compulsive behavior. Deliberate self-harm. Self mutilation. Difficulty sleeping. Trouble sleeping. Do you have more information about symptoms of this disease? We want to hear from you.

Cause Cause. Although the cause of Tourette syndrome is unknown, current research points to abnormalities in certain brain regions including the basal ganglia, frontal lobes, and cortex , the circuits that interconnect these regions, and the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine responsible for communication among nerve cells.

This gene, named SLITRK1 , is normally involved with the growth of nerve cells and how they connect with other neurons. The mutated gene is located in regions of the brain basal ganglia, cortex, and frontal lobes previously identified as being associated with Tourette syndrome. Inheritance Inheritance.

Evidence from twin and family studies suggests that Tourette syndrome is an inherited disorder. Although early family studies suggested an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance an autosomal dominant disorder is one in which only one copy of the defective gene , inherited from one parent, is necessary to produce the disorder , more recent studies suggest that the pattern of inheritance is much more complex.

Although there may be a few genes with substantial effects, it is also possible that many genes with smaller effects and environmental factors may play a role in the development of Tourette syndrome. Information about how to locate a genetics professional is provided in the Living With section.

Treatment Treatment. Many individuals with Tourette syndrome have mild symptoms and do not require medication. Neuroleptics are the most consistently useful medications for tic suppression; a number are available but some are more effective than others for example, haloperidol and pimozide.

Unfortunately, there is no one medication that is helpful to all people with Tourette syndrome, nor does any medication completely eliminate symptoms. In addition, all medications have side effects. Additional medications with demonstrated efficacy include alpha-adrenergic agonists such as clonidine and guanfacine. These medications are used primarily for hypertension but are also used in the treatment of tics.

Recent research shows that stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine can lessen ADHD symptoms in people with Tourette syndrome without causing tics to become more severe. It can help with accompanying problems, such as ADHD, obsessions, depression and anxiety. Therapy can also help people cope with Tourette syndrome. For debilitating tics that don't respond to other treatment, deep brain stimulation DBS may help.

DBS consists of implanting a battery-operated medical device neurostimulator in the brain to deliver electrical stimulation to targeted areas that control movement. Further research is needed to determine whether DBS is beneficial for people with Tourette syndrome. Prognosis Prognosis. Statistics Statistics. It is estimated that , Americans have the most severe form of Tourette syndrome, and as many as one in exhibit milder and less complex symptoms such as chronic motor or vocal tics or transient tics of childhood.

Do you have updated information on this disease? Find a Specialist Find a Specialist. Healthcare Resources To find a medical professional who specializes in genetics, you can ask your doctor for a referral or you can search for one yourself. You can also learn more about genetic consultations from MedlinePlus Genetics. Research Research.

Clinical Research Resources ClinicalTrials. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials. Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study. Organizations Organizations. Organizations Supporting this Disease.

Do you know of an organization? Living With Living With. Community Resources The Job Accommodation Network JAN has information on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues related to this condition. Department of Labor. Learn More Learn More. Where to Start MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic. This website is maintained by the National Library of Medicine. Click on the link to view information on this topic.

NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them. General Information. In-Depth Information GeneReviews provides current, expert-authored, peer-reviewed, full-text articles describing the application of genetic testing to the diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling of patients with specific inherited conditions.

What about the vaccine exacerbating TS or tics? Presently, there is no data to indicate that receiving the COVID vaccine will have any impact on the symptoms in patients affected by Tourette Syndrome or tic disorders. Okun, Dr. Coffman and Dr. Coffey, on the implications of this unprecedented health crisis.

It is important that everybody is well-armed with all the facts. Hopefully, this is the start of the return to the new normal. The results of the survey, seen below, has helped the TAA to assess the impact and advocate for the community.

Facebook-f Instagram Twitter Youtube Linkedin. Coronavirus and Tourette Syndrome. Coronavirus Impact Survey.