FAQ About Tourette Syndrome!
How is it diagnosed?
A diagnosis is made by observing symptoms and by evaluating the history of their onset. No blood analysis, x-ray or other type of medical test exists to identify TS. However, a doctor may wish to order an EEG, CAT scan or certain blood tests to rule out other ailments that could rarely be confused with TS.
What are the first symptoms?
The first symptoms are usually facial tics - but please don't panic if you see your child have facial twitches as on the average 20% of children will have transient tics sometime in their childhood. But having said that also sniffing and throat clearing could also be signs of Tourettes.
Is it inherited?
Genetic studies indicate tic disorders, including TS, are inherited as a dominant gene(s) that may produce varying symptoms in different family members. A person with TS has about a 50% chance of passing the gene(s) to one of his/her children. However, the gene(s) may express as TS, as a milder tic disorder, or as obsessive compulsive symptoms with no tics at all. It is known that a higher than usual incidence of milder tic disorders and obsessive compulsive behaviours are more common in the families of TS patients.
The sex of the child also influences the expression of the gene(s). The chance that the child of a person with TS will have the disorder is at least three times higher for a son than for a daughter. Yet only a minority of the children who inherit the gene(s) will have symptoms severe enough to ever require medical attention. In some cases, TS may not be inherited; these cases are identified as "sporadic" TS because a genetic link cannot be found.
Is there a cure?
Not at this stage, but with further research you never know. (BTW any extra funds I have will be donated hopefully in the area of TS research)
What are they researching now?
Recently there has been more research aimed at understanding how the disorder is transmitted from one generation to the next and researchers are working toward locating the gene marker for TS. That focus has been enhanced by the efforts of an international group of scientists who have formed a unique network to share what they know about the genetics of TS. Additional insights will be obtained from studies of large families (kindreds) with numerous members who have TS. At the same time, investigators continue to study specific groups of brain chemicals to better understand the syndrome and to develop new and improved medications. Work is also ongoing to identify sub-groups of people with TS.
How many people have TS?
This is a hard one to answer as so many people go through their lives without ever being officially diagnosed. There is a suggestion of maybe 1/200 that may have TS, Chronic or transient tics.
Are vocal tics all just about saying inappropriate words or bark?
Definitely not - in fact only about 15 - 20% with TS will have coprolalia - the more common vocal tics include sniffing, throat clearing, sniffing, clicking of the tongue.
Why does it take 12 months to diagnose TS, when my child has tics?
There are basically 3 sub-disorders. These include Transient Tics, Chronic Tics, and TS. Transient tics last less than 1 year and are common in childhood. Chronic tics last longer than 1 year and are either motor or vocal but not both. For TS motor tics must be present for at least 12 months with at least 1 vocal tic. They must also have not stopped for a period of 3 months or more. It can get very confusing, and I recommend you take this information with a grain of salt. An excellent summery can be found here
I hear the word P.A.N.D.A.S - what is it and should I have my child tested?
A good site is here about PANDA's
Why do some sites say Stimulants should not be given to people with TS?
Older studies have said that stimulants were thought to exacerbate tics (not cause them). Newer research has shown that stimulants can be taken cautiously. There is still a lot of debate out there and it remains controversial.
How is it diagnosed?
A diagnosis is made by observing symptoms and by evaluating the history of their onset. No blood analysis, x-ray or other type of medical test exists to identify TS. However, a doctor may wish to order an EEG, CAT scan or certain blood tests to rule out other ailments that could rarely be confused with TS.
What are the first symptoms?
The first symptoms are usually facial tics - but please don't panic if you see your child have facial twitches as on the average 20% of children will have transient tics sometime in their childhood. But having said that also sniffing and throat clearing could also be signs of Tourettes.
Is it inherited?
Genetic studies indicate tic disorders, including TS, are inherited as a dominant gene(s) that may produce varying symptoms in different family members. A person with TS has about a 50% chance of passing the gene(s) to one of his/her children. However, the gene(s) may express as TS, as a milder tic disorder, or as obsessive compulsive symptoms with no tics at all. It is known that a higher than usual incidence of milder tic disorders and obsessive compulsive behaviours are more common in the families of TS patients.
The sex of the child also influences the expression of the gene(s). The chance that the child of a person with TS will have the disorder is at least three times higher for a son than for a daughter. Yet only a minority of the children who inherit the gene(s) will have symptoms severe enough to ever require medical attention. In some cases, TS may not be inherited; these cases are identified as "sporadic" TS because a genetic link cannot be found.
Is there a cure?
Not at this stage, but with further research you never know. (BTW any extra funds I have will be donated hopefully in the area of TS research)
What are they researching now?
Recently there has been more research aimed at understanding how the disorder is transmitted from one generation to the next and researchers are working toward locating the gene marker for TS. That focus has been enhanced by the efforts of an international group of scientists who have formed a unique network to share what they know about the genetics of TS. Additional insights will be obtained from studies of large families (kindreds) with numerous members who have TS. At the same time, investigators continue to study specific groups of brain chemicals to better understand the syndrome and to develop new and improved medications. Work is also ongoing to identify sub-groups of people with TS.
How many people have TS?
This is a hard one to answer as so many people go through their lives without ever being officially diagnosed. There is a suggestion of maybe 1/200 that may have TS, Chronic or transient tics.
Are vocal tics all just about saying inappropriate words or bark?
Definitely not - in fact only about 15 - 20% with TS will have coprolalia - the more common vocal tics include sniffing, throat clearing, sniffing, clicking of the tongue.
Why does it take 12 months to diagnose TS, when my child has tics?
There are basically 3 sub-disorders. These include Transient Tics, Chronic Tics, and TS. Transient tics last less than 1 year and are common in childhood. Chronic tics last longer than 1 year and are either motor or vocal but not both. For TS motor tics must be present for at least 12 months with at least 1 vocal tic. They must also have not stopped for a period of 3 months or more. It can get very confusing, and I recommend you take this information with a grain of salt. An excellent summery can be found here
I hear the word P.A.N.D.A.S - what is it and should I have my child tested?
A good site is here about PANDA's
Why do some sites say Stimulants should not be given to people with TS?
Older studies have said that stimulants were thought to exacerbate tics (not cause them). Newer research has shown that stimulants can be taken cautiously. There is still a lot of debate out there and it remains controversial.
bravenet.com