tourette’s syndrome

By Ian Williams

The cause is unknown Believed to be caused by abnormalities in

certain brain regions (including the basal ganglia, frontal lobes, and cortex)

Believed to be transmitted genetically, but not confirmed

Tourettes can be found among all people There are no ethnic or racial boundaries Men are three to four times more likely to

have Tourettes Generally presents in young children,

under 18

Affects basal ganglia, frontal lobes, and cortex

Also affects the neurotransmitters of these regions

Affects the dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine responsible for communication among nerves

Tics Vocalizations Coprolalia (Less than 15%) Echolalia

Anyone with Tourettes will live a normal life

There are no negative effects on the lifespan

One well known person who had and died Tourettes was the “Tourettes Guy”

He died of a car crash however

No known cure Few treatments for tics Antiseizure medications Clonidine (Blood Pressure medication) Botulinum toxin injections (can control

some motor tics) Dopamine blockers (can help control or

reduce tics, but they have side effects)

Brad Cohen Teacher with vocal and muscle tics Was turned down as a teacher multiple

times Was awarded the Sallie Mae First Class

Teacher of the Year in 1997

National Tourettes Syndrome Association http://tsa-usa.org/

"Gilles de la Tourette syndrome - PubMed Health." National Center for Biotechnology Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Mar. 2013. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001744/>.

"Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)." National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Mar. 2013. <http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tourette/detail_tourette.htm#220493231>.

"Tourette syndrome - Genetics Home Reference." Genetics Home Reference - Your guide to understanding genetic conditions. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Mar. 2013. <http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/tourette-syndrome>.

"What is Tourette Syndrome Descrip History." TSA Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Mar. 2013. <http://tsa-usa.org/aMedical/whatists.html>.