Tourette's Flashcards
Tourette Definition
Inherited, neurological disorder characterized by repeated involuntary movements and uncontrollable vocal sounds called tics (can also include inappropriate words and phrases)
Sex difference
Males 3-4X more
Ratio of people expressing tourette like symptoms
1 in 200
How similar is TS course in patients?
Very varied
First symptoms of TS?
Facial tics (Eye blinking, nose twitching, grimaces)
What is the term for shouting obscenities?
Coprolalia
What is term for constantly repeating words of other people?
Echolalia
Do tics change in frequency, number, type and location?
Yes
Two categories of tics?
Simple
Complex
Simple tics definition
Sudden, brief movements by limited number of muscle groups
Simple tics examples
Eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, facial grimacing, head jerking, yelping, and sniffing
Complex tics definition
Distinct, coordinated patterns of successive movements involving several muscle groups
Complex tics exmaples
Jumping, smelling objects, touching nose, touching other people, coprolalia, echolalia, self-harming behaviors
Can TS patients suppress tics?
Yes, but its difficult
Tic frequency worsens when?
Stress
One mechanism for why TS happens?
Mutation in gene controlling brain’s metabolism of NT’s
5 associated TS disorders
- OCD
- ADD
- Learning disability
- Impulse control
- Sleep disorders
First step in treating TS?
Determine which set of symptoms to treat
How to diagnose TS?
Observe symptoms and evaluate family history (1 year)
Why is TS diagnosing hard?
Misinterpret symptoms and often times tics go away when seeing a doctor
Do most TS patients need medication?
NO
Drug type to reduce tics?
Neuroleptic drugs
Anti-psychotic used in TS?
Symptoms treated
Clonidine
Great with motor tics
Stimulants use in TS?
Might treat associated behavioral, but has been shown to increase tics
Drug for OCD in TS?
SSRI’s or clomipramine
Will psychotherapy help in TS?
Help patient cope
Two ways to alleviate stress in TS?
Relaxation techniques
Biofeedback
Mode of TS inheritance?
Dominant
Will a person with a TS gene have full-blown TS?
No, might be milder or another associated disease
Can TS improve over time?
Yes, but for some they will always have
What parts of TS decrease with age?
What parts increase?
Tic symptoms decrease
Neuropsychiatric disorders increase
