Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder.
It is characterized by involuntary tics. Tics can be either
a movement or spoken sound or a combination of both. They are repetitive and stereotyped.
The early symptoms of TS are almost always noticed first in childhood.
The average onset is between the ages of 7 and 10 years. People from all ethnic
groups can have TS. However males are affected about three to four times more
often than females. It is estimated that 200,000 Americans have severe TS.
Also as many as one in 100 people have milder symptoms. These include chronic
motor or vocal tics or transient tics of childhood.
Although the cause of TS is unknown, current research points to
differences in certain brain regions. It seems that there are problems with
the circuits and neurotransmitters that link brain regions. Evidence from twin
studies suggests that TS is inherited.
Often TS is a chronic condition with symptoms that are lifelong.
But many people with TS have their worst symptoms as young teenagers.
It is then typical to see improvement in the late teens and into adulthood.
People with TS have a normal life expectancy.
Adapted in part from "Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet", NINDS. Publication date April 2005. NIH Publication No. 05-2163. Accessed on February 13, 2006 at
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tourette/detail_tourette.htm - 56583231.
