Transcript Tourette`s Syndrome - shsbiogeneticdisorders

Tourette’s Syndrome
By: Krysta Young
What is it?
Tourette’s Syndrome is a neurological
disorder characterized by repetitive,
involuntary movements and vocalizations
called tics.
Symptoms
Tics are either Simple or Complex.
Some simple ones are motor tics which are
brief repetitive movements.
Ex: eye twitching, facial grimacing, shoulder
shrugging
Complex tics are distinct, movements
involving several muscle groups.
Ex: hoping, jumping
Diagnosis/ Prognosis
There is no cure for Tourette's, but some
may be come symptom free after there
teen years. People who have it live just as
long as those who don’t.
It’s diagnosed when the doctors have seen
the person having the same tics for more
than a year.
Chromosomes?
There is no specific chromosome it is on.
I found mentions of it being on the 7, 13, 18,
and 22. So it could be on all of them or
some of them.
Treatment
Since the tics doesn’t impair the people who
have it in any way. There is really no
medication taken for having Tourette’s.
However, for those whom have tics that
interfere with their daily life there are
medications that you can take to help
prevent it from being so bad. They help
suppress the tics.
For example: haloperidol and pimozide
Current Research
In the federal government there is research
currently being done at the National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Stroke (NINDS)
Also they are trying to find a gene or genes
for Tourette syndrome which would be a
major step toward understanding genetic
risk factors.
Story of a person with it.
Story No. 12
Hi Craig,
I really don't know why I am writing this, but I think my input to this disorder
might help someone. I was married to a man with Tourette's for 11 years. I
loved him with all my heart we have 3 daughters, all together 6 children. I
feel that due to his illness he turned to drinking, being drunk and nasty at
least once a week really tore me apart. When he got drunk it would release
all the built up pressures he felt all week. He refused to take medication
due to his paranoia of any side affects the would have. More recently and
after many years of hell I realized he is and has been using other illegal
drugs. He would get the drugs after he was drunk.
What a life! Anyway its all over between us. I will never go back to him. Its
just a shame that he never wanted to get any help and take the chance of a
side affect. He will probably have liver problems or OD on drugs anyway. I
often wondered if their were many others with Tourette's that turned to drugs
and drinking as an escape. Thank you for listening.
http://www.tourette-syndrome.com/tourette-syndrome-life-stories-page3.htm
Genetic Counseling
The Tourette's Syndrome Association's NYC
Counseling Program (NYCCP) is the only
working counseling place in this country.
It provides counseling for couples, families,
and groups.
Work Cited
http://www.medicinenet.com/tourette_syndro
me/article.htm#tocb
http://www.tourette-syndrome.com/tourettesyndrome-life-stories-page3.htm
http://www.tsausa.org/Professionals/ClinicalCouns/nycco
unselprog.htm
http://mybrainnotes.com/brain-dnabehavior.html