Tourette’s Syndrome

1. Tourette’s Syndrome Chloe McCann March 6th, 2013 4th Period

2. NAME • The Scientific name is Tourette’s Syndrome, but we commonly just call it Tourette’s. Chronic Motor and Vocal Tic Disorder Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome GTS TD Tourette Disorder Tourette's Disease TS

3. CAUSE • A variety of genetic and environmental factors likely play a role in causing Tourette syndrome. Most of these factors are unknown. • Scientists believe that tics may result from changes in brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that are responsible for producing and controlling voluntary movements.

4. TRANSMITTED • The inheritance pattern of Tourette’s syndrome is unclear. • Although the features of this condition can cluster in families, many genetic and environmental factors are likely to be involved. • It is difficult to predict who else may be at risk of developing the condition. • Almost all cases of Tourette’s syndrome probably result from a variety of genetic and environmental factors, not changes in a single gene

5. TARGET POPULATION • Relatively common • It is estimated to affect 1 to 10 in 1,000 children. • This disorder occurs in populations and ethnic groups worldwide, and it is more common in males than in females.

6. WHERE/HOW IT AFFECTS CNS/PNS • It is a disorder caused in the PNS • People who have Tourettes have a chemical imbalance in the brain. This imbalance causes signals to be sent involuntarily to the body from the brain this is affecting the PNS

7. SYMPTOMS • Tics are repetitive, sudden, and involuntary movements or noises. • Tics usually appear in childhood, and their severity varies over time. • In most cases, tics become milder and less frequent in late adolescence and adulthood. • Involves both motor tics, which are uncontrolled body movements, and vocal or phonic tics, which are outbursts of sound. • Some motor tics are simple and involve only one muscle group. • Simple motor tics, such as rapid eye blinking, shoulder shrugging, or nose twitching • Complex (involving multiple muscle groups), such as jumping, kicking, hopping, or spinning. • Vocal tics, which generally appear later than motor tics, also can be simple or complex. • Simple vocal tics include grunting, sniffing, and throat-clearing. • Complex vocalizations include • Repeating the words of others (echolalia) • Repeating one's own words (palilalia). • The involuntary use of inappropriate or obscene language (coprolalia) is possible, but uncommon, among people with Tourette syndrome.

8. POSSIBLE PROGNOSIS • As a result, some may actually become symptom-free or no longer need medication for tic suppression. Although the disorder is generally lifelong and chronic, it is not a degenerative condition. Individuals with Tourette syndrome have a normal life expectancy. Tourette syndrome does not impair intelligence. Although tic symptoms tend to decrease with age, it is possible that neurobehavioral disorders such as bdepression, panic attacks, mood swings, and antisocial behaviors can persist and cause impairment in adult life.

9. CURE • There is no cure for Tourette's syndrome • There is no universal medication for people with Tourette's either. • http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/tc/tourettes-disorder-symptoms

10. Famous Person • Brad Cohen is a well known teacher with Tourette’s. • He applied to numerous elementary schools for a teaching position, but his interviews were always punctuated by his tics. • He was rejected 24 times before Mountain View Elementary School hired him to teach the second and third grades. • Cohen, who taught about his Tourette syndrome at the beginning of each year, was popular with students. • He showed that people with Tourette’s can do jobs like any other person. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzuJnkXukzE (start at 2:20)

11. Specialized Medical Facilities • This is a list of some people heavily involved at their respective facilities and work on research of Tourette's. They all research ways to help cure Tourette’s, treat it and how it is transmitted. They also study cases in children, teens and adults. • Daniel T. Anbe, M.D., Flint, Michigan Cathy Budman, M.D., North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, Long Island, New York
S. Barak Caine, Ph.D., McLean Hospital, Harvard University, Massachusetts
F. Xavier Castellanos, M.D., National Institute of Mental Health/NIH 
Barbara J. Coffey, M.D., M.S., NYU Child Study Center, New YorkMartha B. Denckla, M.D., Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland Roger D. Freeman, M.D., Neuropsychiatry Clinic atBritish Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
James F. Leckman, M.D., Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, Connecticut
John S. March, M.D., MPH, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North CarolinaJames T. McCracken, M.D., UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, Los Angeles, California Tanya Murphy, M.D., Ph.D.,McNight Brain Institute, Gainesville, Florida Lawrence Scahill, MSN, Ph.D., Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, ConnecticutJohn T. Walkup, M.D.,Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland • The Tourette Syndrome association is also a strong supporter of Tourette's research and awareness

12. Works cited • Tourette's syndrome. (2005). Retrieved March 5, 2013, from Web MD website: http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/tc/tourettes-disorder-symptoms • Tourette's syndrome. (2013, February 25). Retrieved February 27, 2013, from Genetics Home Reference website: http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/tourette-syndrome • Tourette's syndrome doctors. (2007). Retrieved March 5, 2013, from TS Doctors website: http://tourettenowwhat.tripod.com/doctors.htm