The following information is provided by the Tourette Syndrome Association of America and was translated and reviewed by Dr. Li Yongjie, Director of the Department of Functional Neurosurgery at Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, and Drs. Zhang Xiaohua and Qiao Liang for information consultation with the Chinese speaking population in the United States.
Is tic-tac-toe syndrome (TS) hereditary? Qiao Liang, Department of Functional Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University
It is hereditary. We believe that genetic inheritance is the cause of Tourette Syndrome, but to date we have not identified which gene or genes trigger Tourette Syndrome. We also know that the patient’s environment and the situation in which he or she is placed have a strong influence on the severity of the disease. The most appropriate view is that both genes and environment are important triggers of Tourette’s syndrome.
Can infection trigger Tourette’s syndrome (TS)?
We have observed, in very rare cases, sudden onset of tics after certain streptococcal infections (group A, infections caused by beta-hemolytic streptococci). However, this observation has not been proven and more studies are needed to confirm the association.
Is it possible to cure Tourette’s syndrome (TS)?
There is no cure for Tourette Syndrome (TS), but treatment can be effective in reducing the severity of the tics and other related symptoms. Much progress has been made in understanding how to treat tics.
Does Tourette’s Syndrome (TS) go away on its own?
Most patients with TS experience significant improvement in their late adolescence or early 20s, and in some cases the symptoms disappear completely. Only a small percentage of patients continue to have very severe and persistent tics into adulthood.
How many TS patients are there in the United States?
In the 1970s, TS was considered to be a rare case. As awareness of TS disorders has grown, more patients with mild symptoms have been diagnosed. Tics are more common in children than in adults, and there are more moderate cases of TS than severe cases. Current estimates suggest that 3 to 6 out of every 1,000 children may have a tic.
There are two types of tics C Motor tics and vocal tics
Common motor tics include blinking, grimacing, jaw contusion, head bobbing/spasms up and down, shoulder shrugging, neck extension, and arm twitching. Some motor tics can be more complex and may be several tics combined, such as possibly head bobbing, shoulder shrugging and grimacing, or appearing to be intentionally frog-hopping, spinning or jumping.
Common vocal twitches include vigorous inhalation, throat clearing, purring, owl-like hooting, and loud calling. Some vocal tics can be more complex and may include words and phrases. Often these words do not sound like a conversation – words being howled or grunted sound inappropriate and inappropriate. In isolated instances, the language may appear crude and offensive (e.g., abusive words, racial slurs, and other socially unacceptable words and phrases).
Symptoms of Tourette’s Syndrome (TS)
Coexistence of at least two motor tics and one vocal tic
Duration of the tics lasts at least one year
Tics started before the age of 18
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder, not a misbehavior of the child or a misconduct of the parents. Parents should take their children to a doctor rather than punishing them for tics that they cannot control.
Tics may increase when the child is excited (like going to Disneyland) or stressed (like right before a test) and decrease when the child is engaged in relaxing activities. Some children can control the onset themselves, but they can’t really stop it.
There are other problems associated with TS. The most common problems are difficulty concentrating in school, hyperactivity, problems with learning ability and discipline, and a tendency to worry and become depressed. Thankfully, these children and adults with the disease have the same intelligence as the general population, and they live as long as the general population.