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Updates in Medical and Surgical Therapies for Tourette Syndrome

  • Movement Disorders (M Okun, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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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.

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Umer Akbar declares no conflict of interest. Irene A. Malaty has received speaker honoraria and paid travel expenses from the Tourette Syndrome Association for participation in TSA International Consortium for Genetics study.

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  1. Department of Neurology, University of Florida, UF Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, P.O. Box 100236, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA

    Irene A. Malaty & Umer Akbar

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  1. Irene A. Malaty
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  2. Umer Akbar
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Correspondence to Irene A. Malaty.

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Malaty, I.A., Akbar, U. Updates in Medical and Surgical Therapies for Tourette Syndrome. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 14, 458 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-014-0458-4

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