Tourette Syndrome

Alternate Names : Gilles De La Tourette Syndrome, Multiple Tic Syndrome

Tourette syndrome is an inherited disorder that causes a person to make involuntary movements and sounds.

What is going on in the body?

A person with Tourette syndrome doesn't show any unusual behavior early in life. During the teenage years, however, he or she may begin to blink a lot and make facial grimaces or twitches, called tics. The person may also begin to experience uncontrolled movements of the head and limbs.

Later, a person with Tourette syndrome will begin to make unusual sounds or blurt out inappropriate words. The words may be curse words and are often repeated several times.

What are the causes and risks of the disease?

Many cases of Tourette syndrome occur randomly, but other cases tend to run in families.

Tourette syndrome affects 1 in 2,500 males. Females are affected less frequently.