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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: 3/4/2026)

-- 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 .