Tourrettes Syndrome Essay
Brooks Quartararo
Mrs. Ruble
Period 3
23 February 2012
Tourette’s Syndrome Tourette’s Syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by repetitive, involuntary movements called tics. The disorder is named after Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette, a French neurologist who first discovered the disease in 1885. Tourette’s is an inherited disorder, and it’s believed that it is closely linked to damage of the basal ganglia or the brain. The tics are classified as simple or complex. Simple tics are sudden, brief, repetitive movements. Things like blinking, shoulder shrugging, and head jerking. Complex tics are distinct, coordinated patterns of movements involving several muscle groups. An example of a complex tic is a head twist then a shoulder shrug after. Doctors make the diagnosis after verifying that the patient has both motor and vocal tics for at least one year. Unfortunately, there is no medication helpful to all people with tourette’s, or does any medication completely eliminate symptoms. Males are affected about three times more often than females, and it is estimated that 200,000 Americans have the disorder. Some well-known people who have the disorder are: Tim Howard (US national soccer team goalkeeper), Dan Ackroyd (American actor), and David Beckham (LA Galaxy soccer player). Although there is no cure for tourettes, some people improve in the late teens and early twenties. Some people may actually become symptom-free. Also, tourette’s syndrome does not impair intelligence.
Citations
"Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet." : National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 16 Nov. 2011. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. <http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tourette/detail_tourette.htm>.
"Famous People with Tourettes Syndrome." Disabled World. 14 Jan. 2008. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. <http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/tourettes-famous.shtml>.
"Tourette 's Syndrome." Bryanking Health and
Mrs. Ruble
Period 3
23 February 2012
Tourette’s Syndrome Tourette’s Syndrome is a neurological disorder caused by repetitive, involuntary movements called tics. The disorder is named after Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette, a French neurologist who first discovered the disease in 1885. Tourette’s is an inherited disorder, and it’s believed that it is closely linked to damage of the basal ganglia or the brain. The tics are classified as simple or complex. Simple tics are sudden, brief, repetitive movements. Things like blinking, shoulder shrugging, and head jerking. Complex tics are distinct, coordinated patterns of movements involving several muscle groups. An example of a complex tic is a head twist then a shoulder shrug after. Doctors make the diagnosis after verifying that the patient has both motor and vocal tics for at least one year. Unfortunately, there is no medication helpful to all people with tourette’s, or does any medication completely eliminate symptoms. Males are affected about three times more often than females, and it is estimated that 200,000 Americans have the disorder. Some well-known people who have the disorder are: Tim Howard (US national soccer team goalkeeper), Dan Ackroyd (American actor), and David Beckham (LA Galaxy soccer player). Although there is no cure for tourettes, some people improve in the late teens and early twenties. Some people may actually become symptom-free. Also, tourette’s syndrome does not impair intelligence.
Citations
"Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet." : National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 16 Nov. 2011. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. <http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tourette/detail_tourette.htm>.
"Famous People with Tourettes Syndrome." Disabled World. 14 Jan. 2008. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. <http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/tourettes-famous.shtml>.
"Tourette 's Syndrome." Bryanking Health and
Citations: "Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet." : National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 16 Nov. 2011. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. <http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tourette/detail_tourette.htm>. "Famous People with Tourettes Syndrome." Disabled World. 14 Jan. 2008. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. <http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/tourettes-famous.shtml>. "Tourette 's Syndrome." Bryanking Health and Fitness. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. <http://bryanking.net/tourette 's-syndrome/>. "Kellykite Health and Medicine." Kellykite Health and Medicine. 25 Apr. 2011. Web. 22 Feb. 2012. <http://www.kellykite.com/352/tourettes-syndrome.html>.