Research into the cause(s) of Tourette syndrome (TS), its triggers, and the mechanisms underlying its manifestations is occurring
along several pathways. TS is clearly influenced by genetic factors, but immunological, infectious , and environmental mechanisms
are also implicated and/or suspected. The relationship of TS to associated co-morbid disorders such as ADHD and OCD is unknown;
are these conditions distinct from TS or are they part of the TS spectrum? Could TS be manifesting as a tic disorder in some
children but as obsessions and compulsions in others?
[Como: 2005]
TS, as part of a group of tic disorders, has been thought to be inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion with incomplete
penetrance; however newer models that propose multiple gene contributions might be more correct. What is known from incidence
data are that more males than females exhibit TS, and that children of one or both parents with TS may have between a 25 -
50% chance of also exhibiting tic disorders.
[McMahon: 2003] Within an affected family, symptoms range from frank TS, to minor tics, to associated co-morbid disorders such as obsessive-compulsive
disorder.
Immunological factors have been implicated due to overlap in some children of TS with possible Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric
Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS).
[Trifiletti: 1999]
[McMahon: 2002] PANDAS remains controversial
[King: 2006] with conflicting research findings, though several studies are supportive, such as one study demonstrating antibodies against
neurons in the basal ganglia in most cases of Sydenham chorea and approximately 60% of those with TS.
[Church: 2003]
There are many lines of evidence that link TS with pathways between the prefrontal cortex, the thalamus, and the basal ganglia
and changes in the distribution and activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine. For example, medications that decrease tics
are known to alter traffic through these pathways (e.g, the antipsychotics haldol and pimozide), and data from functional
imaging
[Butler: 2006] of individuals with TS support these neurophysiological mechanisms. As discussed above, PANDAS implicates antibodies directed
against neurons in these pathways. Finally, deep brain stimulation to specific suspected brain regions appears helpful in
some people with refractory TS.
[Bajwa: 2007]
Hopefully, new information regarding TS will be helpful for management of children with this complex disease as available
medications are not specific for the treatment of tics and affect the dopaminergic system generally.
Page Bibliography
Bajwa RJ, de Lotbinière AJ, King RA, Jabbari B, Quatrano S, Kunze K, Scahill L, Leckman JF.
Deep brain stimulation in Tourette's syndrome.
Mov Disord.
2007;22(9):1346-50.
PubMed abstract
Butler T, Stern E, Silbersweig D.
Functional neuroimaging of Tourette syndrome: advances and future directions.
Adv Neurol.
2006;99:115-29.
PubMed abstract
Church AJ, Dale RC, Lees AJ, Giovannoni G, Robertson MM.
Tourette's syndrome: a cross sectional study to examine the PANDAS hypothesis.
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry.
2003;74(5):602-7.
PubMed abstract / Full Text
Como PG, LaMarsh J, O'Brien KA.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder in Tourette's syndrome.
Adv Neurol.
2005;96:249-61.
PubMed abstract
King RA.
PANDAS: to treat or not to treat?.
Adv Neurol.
2006;99:179-83.
PubMed abstract
McMahon WM, Carter AS, Fredine N, Pauls DL.
Children at familial risk for Tourette's disorder: Child and parent diagnoses.
Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet.
2003;121(1):105-11.
PubMed abstract
McMahon WM, Filloux FM, Ashworth JC, Jensen J.
Movement disorders in children and adolescents.
Neurol Clin.
2002;20(4):1101-24, vii-viii.
PubMed abstract
Trifiletti RR, Packard AM.
Immune mechanisms in pediatric neuropsychiatric disorders. Tourette's syndrome, OCD, and PANDAS.
Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am.
1999;8(4):767-75.
PubMed abstract
