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Title: Tourette Syndrome

Category: Neurology

Keywords: Tourette Syndrome, vocal tics, motor tics (PubMed Search)

Posted: 10/15/2008 by Aisha Liferidge, MD (Updated: 7/21/2026)

-- Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an inherited neurological disorder characterized by repetitive involuntary movements and uncontrollable vocal sounds called tics.
-- Underlying defect is unknown; however, research suggests that it could be caused by abnormalities in serotonin and dopamine activity within the basal ganglia.
-- Associated behavioral problems include OCD, ADHD, anxiety, and depression.

Diagnostic criteria:

The presence of multiple motor tics and one or more vocal tics at some time during the course of the disorder.

The occurrence of tic episodes several times daily, almost every day, or periodically during a period of more than 1 year.

Changes in the type, severity, complexity, frequency, and anatomical location of tics during the course of the disorder.

Symptom onset before age 18 .