Tourette’s Syndrome

Tourette’s Syndrome Overview

Individuals with Tourette Syndrome (TS) have had at least two motor tics and at least one vocal/ phonic tic in some combination over the course of more than a year. Tics are involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations that usually emerge between the ages of 5-7 years. They tend to increase in frequency and severity between the ages of 8-12 years. Most people with TS show noticeable improvement in late adolescence, with some becoming tic-free. The current estimates are that 1 out of every 160 children between the ages of 5-17 in the United States has TS. TS affects all races, ethnic groups, and ages but is 3 to 4 times more common in boys than in girls. The cause still remains unknown. The conditions are hereditary and so genetics clearly play a role in many, if not most or all, occurrences of the conditions. Environmental, developmental or other factors may also contribute to these disorders but, at present, no specific agent or event has been identified. Therefore, TS is likely caused by complex interactions between genetic and other factors which may vary in different individuals. Studies are underway to find the genes and other factors underlying the development of these disorders.