What are the risk factors and complications of Tourette syndrome? (n.d.). https://www.mymed.com/diseases-conditions/tourette-syndrome/what-are-the-risk-factors-and-complications-of-tourette-syndrome

University of Texas at Austin

A type of neurodevelopmental disorder that is accompanied by multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tics.

Tourette Syndrome

The causes of Tourette Syndrome are not clear, but there is evidence that it can be inhertied and that genetic factors are observed to be the most important factor in this diagnosis.
- Studies on Monozygotic twins show 53% concordance for TS and 77% for persistent (chronic) motor tics
- Studies on dizygotic twins show 8% concordance for TS and 23% concordance for persistent motor tics

Environmental factors such as sex-hormone exposure during brain development, psychosocial stressors, and perinatal insults are hypothesized to contribute to a multifactorial expression of TS.

Causes of Tourette Syndrome (TS)

- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or Behaviors (OCD/OCB)
- Anxiety
- Learning disabilities
- Behavioral or conduct issues
- Problems falling or staying asleep
- Social skills deficits and social functioning difficulties
- Sensory processing issues

Common Co-occuring conditions with Tourette Syndrome

- Dopamine-blocking medications (used to suppress tics)
- Alpha-adrenergic agonists (clonidine and guanfacine)
- Stimulant medications (ethylphenidate and dextroamphetamine - can lessen ADHD symptoms in people with TS without causing more severe tics)
- Antidepressants (serotonin reuptake inhibitors like clomipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline)
- Behavioral Treatments (awareness training and competing response training to reduce tics)
- Psychotherapy (to cope with disorder and accompanying problems like ADHS, depression, anxiety, or OCD)
- Iron Supplements (Shown to exert a benefical effect on tic frequency and severity)

Current Treatments of Tourette Syndrome

Patients with Tourette Syndrome can experience co-occurring disorders like:

- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Learning Difficulties
- Anxiety
- Mood issues
- Social skills and functioning disorders
- Sleeping issues

Complications of Tourette Syndrome

There is no specific test to diagnose Tourette syndrome; instead, clinical criteria are used. A diagnosis requires that both motor and vocal tics be present (though not necessarily simultaneously). These tics must occur multiple times daily for more than one year, change over time in features such as severity or frequency, and begin before age 18. Additionally, the tics must not be attributable to medications, substances, or other medical conditions.

Diagnostic Criteria for Tourette Syndrome

The primary symptoms of Tourette syndrome are tics, which are classified as simple or complex:

- Simple tics are sudden, brief, repetitive movements or sounds involving a limited number of muscle groups (e.g., eye blinking, head jerking, shoulder shrugging, eye darting, nose twitching, mouth movements, grunting, coughing, throat clearing, barking).

- Complex tics are distinct, coordinated patterns of movement involving several muscle groups (e.g., touching or smelling objects, repeating observed movements, stepping in a certain pattern, obscene gesturing, bending or twisting, hopping, and repeating one's own or others' words or phrases, including using vulgar, obscene, or swear words).

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