Tourette Syndrome :: essays research papers

Tourette SyndromeTourette Syndrome was named for Georges Gilles de la Tourette, who firstdescribed the syndrome in 1885. Although the disease was identified in 1885,today in 1996, there still is a mystery environ Tourette Syndrome, itscauses and possible cures. Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder thatresearchers believe is caused by and abnormal metabolism of theneurotransmitters dopamire and serotonin. It is genetically transmitted fromp atomic number 18nt to child. There is a fifty pct chance of passing the gene on fromp arnt to child (Gaffy,Ottinger). Those most at risk are sons of mothers withTourette Syndrome. About three-quarters of Tourette Syndrome patients are male.Males with the disorder have a ninety-nine percent chance of displaying symptoms.Females, have a seventy percent chance of displaying symptoms. This ration of3-41 for males and females may be accounted for by referral bias. Also, thereis a frequent number of reported cases within the Mennonite religious isolatepopulation in Canada. The specific genetic transmission however, has not beenestablished. Some researchers believe that the misdirect is on an autosomal dominanttrait. Some cases however are sporadic, and there may not be a link to familyhistory involved. These cases are mild however, and not full blown. The onsetof Tourette Syndrome must be before the age of fifteen, and usually occurs afterthe age of two. The symbolize age onset of take tics is seven. The mean age onsetfor plainspoken tics is nine. In order for a person to be classified as havingTourette Syndrome they must have both multiple motor tics and vocal tics. Thesetics however do not have to occur everyday. In fact, affected individuals mayrarely exhibit all of the symptoms, or all of the tics. The vocal and motor ticsmust also occur within the same year, for a person to be classified as havingTourette Syndrome. Symptoms can disappear for weeks or months at a time.However if people afflicted with the syndrome try and suppress their tics, theywill re occur with increased ferver. Tics increase as a result of focus orstress, and decrease with relaxation or concentration on absorbing a task.Tics are classified into two groups complex and simple tics. Simpletics are movements or vocalizations which are completely uncomprehendable andmeaningless to those not suffering from the disorder (Peiss). Complex tics aremovements or vocalizations which make use of more than one muscleman group toappear to be meaningful (Peiss). Simple motor tics are eye blinking, headjerking, shoulder shrugging or facial grimacing. Simple vocal tics are throatclearing, coughing, snorting, baiting, yelping.