3. what causes tourettes?
doctors don't know the exact cause
Current reasearch say abnormalities in certain brain
regions ( including the basal ganglia, frontal lobes, and
cortex)
people also inherit it
4. Who gets it?
Children under the age of 18
more common in boys then girls
usually between ages 5 and 7
5. Signs & Symptoms
First symptom usually
occur in the head or neck
area
tics are either simple or
complex
simple tics are sudden,
brief, repetitve
movements that involve a
limited number of muscle
groups
eye blinking, facial
grimacing, shoulder
shrugging, head or
shoulder jerking, and
simple vocalization
complex tics are distinct,
coordinated patterns or
movements with several
muscle groups
tics can worsen when
under stress
tics do not go away during
sleep
6. Diagnosis
no blood or lab test can prove you have it
neuroimaging studies such as
MRI( mednetic resonance imaging)
CT(compulerized tomography)
electroencephalogram (EEG) scans
7. Prognosis & Treatment
no cure
improves in the late and
early 20s
normal life expectancy
no medicine can
completly stop the
symptoms
some meds can help
minimize tics
stimulant meds
anti-depressants
theropies
8. Video on children talking about what it's
like having tourette's syndrome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=1SEKZLivG54&feature=related
