Tourette Syndrome Flashcards
When did tic illness disappear and reappear?
In the 1930s, then rediscovered in 60/70s
What drug was found to be helpful for Tics in the 60s?
Haloperidol
What symptoms were observed in the Jumping Frenchmen of Maine, an early description of TS in 1880?
▪️Excessive startle
▪️Echolalia (involuntary repetition of someone’s sounds)
▪️Echopraxia (involuntary repetition of someone’s actions)
▪️Coprolalia
▪️Forced obedience
What is the main DMS-V diagnostic criteria for Tourette syndrome?
Both multiple motor and one or more vocal tics present at some time during the illness, not necessarily together.
Tics may wax and wane in frequency but persist for more than 1 year.
According to the DSM-V, when must the onset of tics occur?
Before 18
What other conditions may cause tic-like presentations?
▪️Substance abuse (e.g. cocaine)
▪️Huntington’s disease (chorea)
▪️Postviral encephalitis
When do tics normally present in Tourette’s?
Age 5-7
How do tics evolve in adolescence?
They typically improve
What are tics?
▪️Semi-purposeful, brief movements or vocalisations.
▪️Relief from an premonitory sensation (urge)
▪️Range from simple gestures to complex stereotypies
▪️Suppressible but usually irresistible
How do tics present over time?
They wax and wane, critically dependent on the environment and what the individual is doing
E.g. may subside when driving or listening to music, but be made worse by stress
At what age is Tourette syndrome usually worst before remission?
Age 10-11
What are the main issues with understanding the long term course of tics?
▪️Lacks long term prospective data
▪️Elderly patients are rare
▪️Inaccurate self-assessment
▪️Adult clinic attendees represent more severe cases
▪️Increased mortality, suicide, and cardiovascular risk
▪️Tics may still be present but disability diminished
What are the most common comorbidities in TS?
▪️ADHD (60%)
▪️OCD (32%)
(12% have just tics)
What features are associated with comorbidity in TS?
▪️Anger control problems
▪️Sleep difficulties
▪️Coprolalia
▪️Self injurious behaviour
What are the four main types of tic disorder?
▪️Tourette syndrome
▪️Chronic vocal tics
▪️Chronic motor tics
▪️Transient tic disorder
Which type of tic disorder shows the greatest comorbidities?
Tourette syndrome
Which type of tic disorder shoes the least comorbidities?
Transient tic disorder
Why does OCD and TS show a high rate of comorbidity?
The symptoms and genetics show a high degree of overlap
(e.g. touching, counting, ordering, checking, obsessions)
What other psychiatric disorders show a high burden in TS and why might this be?
Mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and disruptive behaviour disorders
Likely secondary effects of the TS
What is the estimated prevalence of TS?
0.3-0.7% (3.2% with liberal criteria)
BUT this has likely increased follwiing the pandemic
What perinatal exposures may increase risk of TS?
▪️Poor maternal weight gain
▪️Alcohol
▪️Cannabis
▪️Parity (no. of times mother has given birth)
NOT birth weight or smoking