Tourette syndrome

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, stereotyped, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics (Robertson 31). The condition was originally named after the famous French neurologist Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette. It was first described in an 86 year old noble French woman, Marquise de Dampierre in 1885, by Dr. Tourette. Its symptoms are usually noticeable in early childhood between ages 7 to 10 and tend to disappear later in the early teens. In some rare cases, they can show up before age 7 and last until the early twenties or life time
(medical.net). These

can be mild in most cases [Only facial or vocal habit such as

excessive blinking, throat clearing or repetitive sniffing, but in rare cases it can reach a very severe condition including some disturbing anti-social behavior such as loud swearing in public places, punching and touching reachable object]. It is estimated that over 200,000 Americans have severe Tourette syndrome, and many are suffering with minor condition. (medicine.net) Although the tics of Tourette syndrome are involuntary, most of the patients can sometimes hold or manage their tics to minimize the embarrassment in public places. However, people with Tourette syndrome often report that there will be buildup tension when they hold back their tics to the point where they feel that the tics must be done. Holding back tics is like holding a sneeze when we have a cold. Symptoms The most common symptom in every patient is tics on their face and throat, in other words, facial and vocal tics. A tic is a sudden, fast, repeated movement or sound.

(Online dictionary).The first symptoms usually occur in the head and neck area and grow towards the muscles in the arms. Motor tics generally are from vocal cords, and simple tics often lead to complex tics that become sever before mid-teen years. It tend to have improvements from late teens and early twenties. (medicinenet.com) Following are some of the tics or symptoms that are common in people with Tourette.
(New York Times)

Jumping Kicking Repeated throat clearing or sniffing Shoulder shrugging Arm jerking, Swearing in public places. Touching random things. Frequent Eye blinking Imitating other people Causes of Tourette Syndromes Although the main causes of Tourette syndrome are unknown to our world, the current research tell us, it is caused by abnormalities in certain brain regions, like basal ganglia, frontal lobes, and cortex. The disorder in nerve circuits that connects these regions of ours brain gives a false command to the body parts for those tics and involuntary moment. Current research provides strong evidence that Tourette syndrome is genetic, and it passed down through families, but its genetic base has not been found yet, so there are no blood tests for it. If one of the parents was diagnosed with the Tourette Syndrome, there will be 50 percent chance that it be will passed down to their child. Some research shows that OCD (obsessive compulsive Disorder) is also caused

by the same gene, therefore persons diagnosed with Tourette syndromes have high change or suffering from OCD too. Robertson, 31) Treatment Because the main cause of Tourette syndrome is unknown to the scientific world, there is no specific medical cure for the disorder and none of the medications are successful to completely eliminate symptoms. There are some medications that tend to help certain peoples to eliminate the symptoms partially, but those medications have side effects like sedation, weight gain, and cognitive dulling. There is no known prevention for this disorder. Some therapists perform informative therapy, but there is no evidence that those therapies are effective in eliminating tics (medicalnet.com).

Disorders associated with Tourette syndrome

Some of the patients of Tourette syndrome usually have some kind of additional disorder other than tics, including
Compulsions and Ritualistic Behaviors

People feel like some things should be done over and over again. Examples, touching an object with one hand after touching it with the other hand, checking to see that the flame on the stove is turned off or checking the door over and over again to see if it is locked in night etc (MedHelps.org).
Sleep disorder

According to medhelps.org, sleeping disorder is very common among patient of T.S.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(OCD)

OCD is very common among the people with Tourette syndrome. People with OCD are obsessed with cleaning and organizing in order. They tend to washed

their hand frequently thinking there are germs. Similarly, they keep their belongings in order. For example, if there are 3 books on the table, they have to add one to make it even. (The Tourette syndrome Guide)

Advantages associated with Tourette syndrome There are some advantages associated with the Tourette syndrome. Some studies showed that children with Tourette syndrome are faster than average children on timed motor condition. A study of 31 people with Tourette found that all had completed high school, 71% were employed full time or pursuing higher education, and 52 % finished at least two year of college( Tourette -now-what.com). Although Tourette syndrome is very difficult disorder to deal with, there are plenty of people with it who become successful. Following are some of the examples of people. Dr. Samuel Johnson, one of England's best known literary figures, an essayist, biographer, lexicographer and a critic of English Literature. He wrote A Dictionary of the English Language in 1747. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works. He is among the most enduringly popular of classical composers of all time.
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Howard Hughes, one of the richest men in history. He was business personal, engineer, film producer, director and philanthropist. (Disabled worlds towards
tomorrow)

Organization that are being working on research of Tourette syndrome. Although there is not any specific progress made in the field of Cure for Tourette syndrome, Federal government has been funding the research for it. The organization, The National Institute of child health and human development and
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) are the two leading institutes working on the research of brain and central nervous system. Similarly, other group like The National Institute of Mental Health, the National Center for Research Resources, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders also support research of the Tourette syndrome. [Currently, researchers are conducting a variety of genetic studies. This research will help finding gene that will allow for genome-wide screening approaches in Tourette syndrome, and finding a gene or genes for Tourette syndrome would be a major step toward understanding genetic risk factors.] (medicineNet.com)

Tourette syndrome is not a common disease; therefore, the general awareness about Tourette syndrome disorder is not sufficient. People with the disorder are often treated differently or judged based on the tics. The government should bring education program among the public to make every individuals will aware of it.

References:-

Dugdale , David ., III, MD, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Gilles De La Tourette Syndrome, (2/5/2011) Retrieved from http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/gilles-de-la-tourettesyndrome/overview.html

Lee ,Dennis MD, Jay W. Marks MD, William W, Shiel, Tourette Syndrome Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/tourette_syndrome/article.htm#tocb

News Medical, Tourette Syndrome Prognosis Retrieved from http://www.newsmedical.net/health/Tourette-Syndrome-Prognosis.aspx Robertson, Mary M, Baron-Cohen, Simon Tourette syndrome (second Edition), Oxford University, (1998) Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?id=oGM_SeeZjikC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Tourette+syndro me&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Bb5KT4zyCeiB0QGZrMiODg&ved=0CD0Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Tourett e%20syndrome&f=false

Singam, Roy, Famous People with Tourette Syndrome, Disabled worlds Towards Tomorrow Retrieved from http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/tourettes-famous.shtml.

Tourette Syndrome Guide, What is the Disorders Associated with TS Retrieved from http://www.tourettesyndromeguide.com/associated_disorders.html