Clonidine ameliorates Gilles de la Tourette syndrome.

Abstract

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (TS) is a severe, familial neuropsychiatric disorder of childhood onset that is characterized by multiform motor, phonic, behavioral, and psychological symptoms. Clonidine hydrochloride, a centrally active alpha-adrenergic agonist, was observed to ameliorate the disorder in the majority of 25 patients who could not tolerate or did not benefit from treatment with haloperidol. Clonidine had a gradual onset of action. Compulsive behavior, frustration intolerance, speech difficulties, behavioral blocking, attentional problems, and tics were responsive to treatment. The noradrenergic system may be involved, primarily or secondarily, in the expression of the genetic predisposition to TS. These observations will require testing by suitably controlled efficacy studies.

• Authors: D J Cohen, J Detlor, J G Young, B A Shaywitz
• Journal: Archives of general psychiatry (Arch Gen Psychiatry) Vol. 37 Issue 12 Pg. 1350-7 (Dec 1980) ISSN: 0003-990X [Print] United States
• PMID: 6255888 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha
• Clonidine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Child
• Clonidine (therapeutic use)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha (drug effects)
• Tourette Syndrome (drug therapy, psychology)