Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome (TS)
• The onset can be between the ages of 2 and 21 and lasts a lifetime. In many cases, there is an OD transition.
• TS is diagnosed in cases where there are multiple motor tics in different parts of the body (at least one of which is a vocal tic), the onset of these tics is before the age of 21, and it persists for more than 1 year (although it increases or decreases).
• Obsessive-compulsive behavior and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are also common.
• Motor tics involve numerous variable movements of the face, eyelids, neck, and shoulders. Eventually, these tics will be accompanied by vocal tics such as throat clearing, sniffling, barking, coprolali (Funny words), echolali (repeating words addressed to the patient), palillali (repeating own words), and echokinesis (imitating the movements of others).
Although conservative approaches and biofeedback programs are beneficial in some patients, drug therapy should be initiated when motor tics or vocalization affect the child's social life or school success.
• Methylphenidate is not a cause of TS but may mask it.
• Children with ADHD who are treated with stimulant drugs should be closely monitored for tic development.
• Haloperidol is effective in approximately 50% of children with TS. Penfluridol, pimozide, and clonidine are other drugs that may be helpful.
• Approximately 50% of TS patients also have obsessive-compulsive symptoms.
• Clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, is effective in approximately 60% of patients. Other useful antidepressant drugs are sertraline, fluoxetine, and fluvoxamine.
Causes of newborn seizures
