Tourette Syndrome
Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that is characterized by sudden repetitive and involuntary movements or vocalizations that are generally termed “tics”. These tics can have different degrees of intensity ranging from simple to complex. Simple motor tics are brief, sudden, and repetitive movements that involve a limited number of muscle groups. They include facial grimacing, eye blinking and other eye movements, and head or shoulder jerking. Simple vocalizations include repetitive sniffing, throat clearing, or grunting sounds. Complex motor tics are distinct and coordinated patterns of movements that involve multiple muscle groups and may sometimes seem purposeful. These tics might include facial grimacing combined with head twist
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The basal ganglia stimulate the generation of movement of certain motor patterns. Abnormalities of the basal ganglia lead to an excess of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Researchers believe this excess of dopamine may be the cause of defects in the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuit leading to the production of tics (Arbib M. et al., …show more content…
The majority of people affected by Tourette syndrome do not require medication for suppressing tics. However, for Tourette syndrome patients whose symptoms interfere with functioning, effective medications are available. Although, there are no medications that will completely eliminate the symptoms, Narcoleptics are the most commonly prescribed medications for tic suppression. Narcoleptics are drugs that are used to treat psychotic and non-psychotic disorders. They can have minor side effects such as weight gain and major side effects such as tremors, dystonic reactions, and other involuntary movements (Bethesda, 2012). Behavioral treatments such as competing response training and awareness training can also be used to reduce tics. Other behavioral therapies, such as supportive therapy or biofeedback, have not been successful in reducing tics. Supportive therapy can only be used to help a person with Tourette syndrome to better cope with the disorder (Look K,
The basal ganglia stimulate the generation of movement of certain motor patterns. Abnormalities of the basal ganglia lead to an excess of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Researchers believe this excess of dopamine may be the cause of defects in the basal ganglia-thalamo-cortical circuit leading to the production of tics (Arbib M. et al., …show more content…
The majority of people affected by Tourette syndrome do not require medication for suppressing tics. However, for Tourette syndrome patients whose symptoms interfere with functioning, effective medications are available. Although, there are no medications that will completely eliminate the symptoms, Narcoleptics are the most commonly prescribed medications for tic suppression. Narcoleptics are drugs that are used to treat psychotic and non-psychotic disorders. They can have minor side effects such as weight gain and major side effects such as tremors, dystonic reactions, and other involuntary movements (Bethesda, 2012). Behavioral treatments such as competing response training and awareness training can also be used to reduce tics. Other behavioral therapies, such as supportive therapy or biofeedback, have not been successful in reducing tics. Supportive therapy can only be used to help a person with Tourette syndrome to better cope with the disorder (Look K,