What Causes Tourette Syndrome?

Tourette syndrome may be caused by genetics and environmental factors such as infections.
Tourette syndrome may be caused by genetics and environmental factors such as infections.

The exact cause of Tourette syndrome isn't known. It is likely to be caused by an interplay between genetic and environmental factors such as certain infections.

Recent research on Tourette syndrome has found problems in certain brain regions and neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine) that transmit messages between the nerve cells. These abnormalities may be responsible for the symptoms of Tourette syndrome.

Certain factors that put you at risk of Tourette syndrome include

  • Having a family history of Tourette syndrome or other tic disorders
  • Male sex (men are about three to four times more likely than women to develop Tourette syndrome)

What is Tourette syndrome?

Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by brief, repetitive, intermittent, involuntary actions known as tics. Tics that involve movement are referred to as motor tics and those that involve sounds are referred to as vocal tics. Motor tics usually show up before vocal tics do.

It is estimated that one out of every 160 children between the ages of 5 to17 years old in the United States is affected by Tourette syndrome. The average onset of symptoms is between the ages of three and nine years.

How is Tourette syndrome diagnosed?

For doctors to diagnose Tourette syndrome, you should have both motor and vocal tics for at least one year.

Can you get rid of Tourette syndrome?

The disorder does not get worse over time and the condition improves in the late teens and early 20s in many patients. Symptoms may disappear in some people.  Others may not need medications to suppress tics. The majority of people with Tourette syndrome require no treatment for tic suppression unless the symptoms interfere with functioning.

Tourette syndrome is generally lifelong and chronic and has no cure. You cannot get rid of it. However, you can get rid of its symptoms and various treatment options can help you to effectively deal with them.

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References
Medscape Medical Reference

NIH


Tourette Association of America