The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke points out that about 200,000 people in the United States have the most severe form of Tourette syndrome, a disorder in which patients have tics. Tourette syndrome starts during childhood and patients may have other disorders. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that 79 percent of Tourette syndrome patients have another disorder, with one of the most common being attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.
Features
The CDC explains that Tourette syndrome patients have motor tics and vocal tics. With a motor tic, the patient may blink; with a vocal tic, the patient may yell a word. If the patient has a simple tic, then she uses only a few parts of her body. But if the patient has a complex tic, then the movements use multiple parts of her body. With ADHD, patients display symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity or impulsiveness. Examples include trouble following directions, trouble sitting still and difficulty waiting.
Time Frame
Both ADHD and Tourette syndrome start during childhood. The Mayo Clinic notes that most children with ADHD show symptoms before age 7, though some children may show signs during infancy. Some children with ADHD continue to have symptoms when they reach adolescence or adulthood. MedlinePlus adds that with Tourette syndrome, patients start showing symptoms between the ages of 7 and 10. The symptoms of Tourette syndrome may worsen when patients reach their teenage years.
Possible Causes
The causes of Tourette syndrome and ADHD are not fully known, but several theories exist. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke explains that abnormalities in certain regions of the brain, such as the frontal lobes, basal ganglia and cortex, may contribute to Tourette syndrome. While Tourette syndrome may pass down through families, MedlinePlus notes that scientists have not identified a specific gene. The Mayo Clinic adds that altered brain function and heredity may play a role in the onset of ADHD. Exposure to toxins, either during the pregnancy or during childhood, may also predispose someone to the disorder.
Treatments
The goals of ADHD and Tourette syndrome treatment are to help patients function normally and to control their symptoms. The approach to ADHD treatment involves both medicines and therapies. Medication options include nonstimulant medications and stimulant medications. If neither of those medications work for patients, antidepressants may work. Since some of the ADHD medications, such as the stimulant medications, may become addictive, parents may look into forms of therapy. Examples include behavior therapy, social skills training, psychotherapy and parenting skills training, in which parents learn how to manage their child's symptoms. For Tourette syndrome, certain medications may control the tics. MedlinePlus note that risperidone, a medication that blocks the neurotransmitter dopamine, and clonitine, a blood pressure medication, may help. Another option is deep brain stimulation, in which electrical signals are sent to specific areas of the brain.
Prognosis
MedlinePlus explains that with Tourette syndrome, one in four patients may not have symptoms for a few years; however, only 8 percent become truly symptom-free. With ADHD, patients may struggle in school and have more problems interacting with other people, according to the Mayo Clinic. MedlinePlus adds that around 50 percent of ADHD sufferers continue to have symptoms when they become adults, but they gain a better handle on their symptoms.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Tourette Syndrome
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Tourette Syndrome Fact Sheet
- MayoClinic: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
