1. Tourette Syndrome
By Mary Jaskowiak

2. What is Tourette Syndome?
Also known as TS, Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that shows before age 18
Multiple motor and/or vocal tics lasting more than a year
Tics may include face, arms, trunk, etc., but can be more complicated and include the entire body
Vocal tics often occur with the body tics, and can include grunting, throat clearing, etc.
Associated problems can include attention problems (ADHD, ADD, etc.)
(Tourette Syndrome Association)

3. Diagnosis
The tics can be hard to diagnose because there is no laboratory test, and sometimes they come and go
Diagnosis based on vocal and verbal tics for more than a year
(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
No blood tests are needed, but neurological tests can rule out diseases that may be mistaken for tourettes
Many are self-diagnosed, but others may go to clinicians, but they often misdiagnose it
(MedicineNet)

4. Transmission
There is a 8.7% chance of directly inheriting the Tourette’s gene from a parent
There is up to a 2 % chance of inheriting Tourette’s from another relative
Many cases can be linked to chromosomal abnormalities such as deletion.
(Dr. Alsobrook)
A person with tourettes has about a 50% chance of passing it on to their offspring
(Health News Flash)

5. Transmission, continued

6. Signs and Symptoms
Someone has motor or verbal tics frequently for more than a year.
(MedicineNet)
These tics can include, but are not limited too, foot stomping, eye blinking, barking, head banging, touching other people, grimacing, involuntary kicking, spinning, hopping, jumping, grunting or sniffing, and uncontrollable vocal sounds
(Health Grades Inc.)

7. Treatment
Majority of people do not need treatment because their tics do not impair them
There are some medications for tic suppression, most are neuroleptics
No one medication helps everyone with tourettes, or helps with all symptoms, and they do have side effects
To manage side effects, must slowly start and stop use of medicine
(MedicineNet)

8. Living with Tourettes
Tim Howard is the starting goalie for England's team, Manchester United.
When he was first signed, many nasty headlines such as “Manchester
signs retarded goal
keeper” were published,
but he was passionate
and stuck with it.
(Steve Kroft, 60 Minutes)

9. Reference List
Tourette Syndrome Association. (2010). What is Tourette Syndrome? Web. Retrieved May 2010, from
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2010). Diagnosis. Web. Retrieved May 2010, from
MedicineNet. (2010). Tourette Syndrome. Web. Retrieved May 2010, from
Health Grades Inc. (2010). Symptoms of Tourette Syndrome. Web. Retrieved May 2010, from

10. Reference List, Continued
Dr. Alsobrrok. Yale University of Medicine. (2010). Latest Genetic Developments with Tourette Syndrome. Web. Retrieved May 2010, from
Health News Flash. (2002). Is Tourette Syndrome Inherited? Web. Retrieved May 2010, from
Steve Croft. 60 Minutes. (2005) Tim Howard: Overcoming It All. Newscast Interview. Retrieved May 2010, can be found at