Updates in medical and surgical therapies for Tourette syndrome.

Abstract

Tourette syndrome is a complex neurobehavioral disorder defined by multiple motor and at least 1 vocal tic, persisting over 1 year, waxing and waning in severity, and not explained by another condition. The condition may range from mild nuisance to debilitating and disabling in severity. Management includes counseling and reassurance, behavioral interventions, pharmacologic, and rarely, surgical interventions. Traditionally, alpha-2 agonists and dopamine receptor antagonists have been utilized. In addition, a number of different pharmacotherapies have been implemented in the search for improved management of tics with better tolerability. In rare, severely disabling cases, neuromodulation with deep brain stimulation may be indicated. Optimal brain targets and candidate selection are still in evolution. This article will review the evidence for current medical and surgical therapies with a focus on recent updates.

• Authors: Irene A Malaty, Umer Akbar
• Journal: Current neurology and neuroscience reports (Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep) Vol. 14 Issue 7 Pg. 458 (Jul 2014) ISSN: 1534-6293 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24871966 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Psychotropic Drugs

Topics

• Behavior Therapy
• Deep Brain Stimulation
• Humans
• Psychotropic Drugs (therapeutic use)
• Tourette Syndrome (drug therapy, psychology, surgery, therapy)