Tourette's syndrome

Abstract

Tourette's syndrome is a heterogeneous neurobehavioral disorder manifested by motor and phonic tics beginning in childhood, affecting 1% of the population. Epidemiological studies have shown an increase in frequency, from a rare to a common syndrome. Children affected by Tourette's disorder, referred to in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), may experience physical pain, emotional disorders, social isolation and poor performance in various activities. Generally, patients have other comorbid neurological conditions, namely: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorder, or oppositional defiant disorder (TDO). Thus, it is not possible to distinguish the etiology from the resulting consequences, since it is in the "Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum", added to this, its pathophysiology is not well determined, as well as the genetic basis behind the disorder. As for treatment, there is a good response to comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT), associated with education about the condition. However, treatment must be adapted to the needs and objectives of each patient and their families, thus, there are pharmacological therapies, both first and second line. Thus, in this chapter we will review the literature on the subject, covering epidemiology, diagnosis and the treatments available for Tourette's Syndrome.