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Tourette's Syndrome
  Tourette's Syndrome
 Signs, symptoms, indicators
 Conditions that suggest it
 Conditions suggested by it
 It can lead to...
 Treatment recommendations
 


Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a neurological condition that causes motor uncoordination. Although popularly known for causing coprolalia (involuntary utterance of vulgar language) and echolalia (involuntary repetition of words spoken by others), TS is really characterized by involuntary movements ("tics") of all kinds. While involuntary vocalizations may serve the interests of stand-up comedians, they are a minor part of this complex and poorly understood condition. Causes & Development

TS is inherited, usually beginning in childhood, and waxes and wanes, usually decreasing in frequency and severity in adolescence and early adulthood.

Treatment & Prevention
Drugs are the usual treatment approach, reducing frequency and severity of symptoms, but they do not cure and often have side-effects. Psychological help for people with TS and their families may be needed for this complex disorder.





Signs, symptoms & indicators of Tourette's Syndrome:
Symptoms - Muscular  (Severe) facial twitching
 In the case of Tourette's syndrome, a neurological disorder that develops in childhood, the muscle twitches known as tics are part of a complex nervous system disease that later involves involuntary actions, such as shoulder shrugs, shouting, or stamping movements.

Conditions that suggest Tourette's Syndrome:
Allergy  Allergy to Foods (Hidden)
 Sherry A Rogers, M.D., a specialist in environmental medicine, reports that all of the TS cases she has seen have a least one nutrient deficiency, and usually several. She notes that all of these patients have hidden mold, dust, chemical and food sensitivities. [Health Counselor, Vol.7, No.4]

Mental
  Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
 It is now recognized that obsessive-compulsive symptoms occur in about half of patients with Tourette Syndrome. One informal survey of TS patients found that 72% (18 out of 25) had obsessive compulsive traits.

Musculo-Skeletal
  Muscle Cramps / Twitching
 The "tics" commonly seen in TS may include uncontrollable blinking, facial grimaces, head jerking, muscle twitches, as well as involuntary vocalizations.

Tourette's Syndrome suggests the following may be present:
Allergy  Allergy to Foods (Hidden)
 Sherry A Rogers, M.D., a specialist in environmental medicine, reports that all of the TS cases she has seen have a least one nutrient deficiency, and usually several. She notes that all of these patients have hidden mold, dust, chemical and food sensitivities. [Health Counselor, Vol.7, No.4]

Mental
  Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
 It is now recognized that obsessive-compulsive symptoms occur in about half of patients with Tourette Syndrome. One informal survey of TS patients found that 72% (18 out of 25) had obsessive compulsive traits.

Tourette's Syndrome can lead to:
Musculo-Skeletal  Muscle Cramps / Twitching
 The "tics" commonly seen in TS may include uncontrollable blinking, facial grimaces, head jerking, muscle twitches, as well as involuntary vocalizations.

Recommendations and treatments for Tourette's Syndrome:
Amino Acid / Protein  Tryptophan / 5HTP
 The low blood serotonin and tryptophan levels seen in Tourette's syndrome (TS) are consistent with the wide range of behavioral disorders expected in such cases [ Am J Med Genet, Aug 1990;36(4): pp.418-30]. As far as we know, tryptophan therapy for Tourette’s syndrome has not yet been explored. However, TS is quite similar in many respects to obsessive/compulsive disorders which do respond to tryptophan supplementation. This observation provides a ray of hope for individuals trying to cope with the symptoms of TS.

Botanical
  Marijuana
 A single 5-10mg dose of a compound extracted from marijuana (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, D9-THC) improved tics and obsessive-compulsive behavior in a well-designed study of 12 adults with Tourette's syndrome. Only mild transient side-effects were observed in some patients. [Pharmacopsychiatry 2002;35(2): pp.57-61]


KEY
Weak or unproven link
Strong or generally accepted link
Proven definite or direct link
May do some good
Likely to help


GLOSSARY

Milligram (mg, Milligrams)
0.001 or a thousandth of a gram.

Nervous System
A system in the body that is comprised of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, ganglia and parts of the receptor organs that receive and interpret stimuli and transmit impulses to effector organs.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Obsessive Compulsive, Obsessive-Compulsive, OCD)
Those suffering from OCD have obsessions and/or compulsions. Obsessions refer to recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are intrusive and cause severe anxiety or distress. Compulsions refer to repetitive behaviors and rituals (such as hand washing, hoarding, ordering, checking) or mental acts (like counting, repeating words silently, avoiding). These obsessions and compulsions significantly interfere with normal routine, functioning, social activities and relationships.

Serotonin
A phenolic amine neurotransmitter (C10H12N2O) that is a powerful vasoconstrictor and is found especially in the brain, blood serum and gastric membranes of mammals. Considered essential for relaxation, sleep, and concentration.

Syndrome
A medical condition characterized by a collection of related symptoms (what the patient feels) and signs (what a doctor can observe or measure).

Tryptophan
Essential amino acid. Natural relaxant and sleep aid due to its precursor role in serotonin (a neurotransmitter) synthesis. Along with tyrosine, it is used in the treatment of addictions.




Last updated: Oct 08, 2008
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