Have you ever taken notice of someone repeating the same bodily movements that seemed to be forced or involuntary, such as an eye blink or nose twitch? Have they vocalized phrases that were blurted out, like grunting, throat clearing, shouting, or barking? If so, the person may be suffering from a neurological disorder called Tourette syndrome. Tourette syndrome is diagnosed once an individual exhibits these multiple motor or vocal tics for more than a year.
The causes of Tourette syndrome has yet to be established even though people have suffered with the disorder for centuries. However, evidence does show that the disorder roots from abnormal activity in a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Other neurotransmitters, like serotonin, may be involved as well. Genetics seems to play a part in the disorder, so it also seems to be inherited. Whether the individual is male or female influences the display of the gene.
If one parent has the disorder, there is a fifty percent chance that a child will inherit it. Inheriting the disorder is three times higher for a son than it is for a daughter. Emotional and physical health or external stress also contributes to the development of this disorder. Tics present more when one with the disorder undergoes stress, undue pressure or extreme fatigue. An internal feeling that is uncomfortable is relieved through the tic process.
Noradrenaline is said to be the most significant stimulate that causes the various tics because medications that imitate noadrenaline causes the involuntary behavior. Some people with underlying brain disorders, that are inherited from birth, can acquire this disorder. But the majority of people with Tourette do not have another underlying disorder. Also, people who have had brain infections, such as meningitis, have movements very similar to tics once they recover. But this is rare. Research is still being conducted on the causes of Tourette syndrome and there is hope that a cure will be discovered in the near future.
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