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 set in 1885,today in 1996, there still is a whodunit surrounding 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 hereditaryally transmitted from advance to child. There is a fifty percent chance of passing the gene on frompargonnt to child (Gaffy,Ottinger). Those most at risk be sons of mothers withTourette Syndrome. About three-quarters of Tourette Syndrome patients atomic number 18 male.Males with the disorder pass water 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 describe cases in spite of appearance the Mennonite religious isolatepopulation in Canada. The specific genetic transmission however, has non beenestablished. Some researchers believe that the mar is on an autosomal dominanttrait. Some cases however are sporadic, and there may non 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 commonly materialises afterthe age of two. The believe age onset of motor tics is seven. The mean age onsetfor vocal tics is nine. In order for a individual to be categorize as havingTourette Syndrome they must have both threefold 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 discharge disappear for weeks or months at a time .However if people discomfit with the syndrome try and suppress their tics, theywill re occur with sum upd ferver. Tics increase as a result of tension orstress, and decrease with tranquility or concentration on absorbing a task.Tics are classified into two crowds 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 muscle group toappear to be meaningful (Peiss). Simple motor tics are nub blinking, headjerking, shoulder shrugging or facial grimacing. Simple vocal tics are throatclearing, coughing, snorting, baiting, yelping.