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The Developmental Trajectories and Long-Term Outcomes of Childhood Tourette Syndrome: a Systematic Review

  • Tourette’s Syndrome (M Yadegar and F Espil, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Although much is known about the clinical presentation of Tourette Syndrome (TS), little information exists on the developmental trajectories and long-term outcomes of adults with childhood TS. This systematic review summarizes findings from studies that examined the clinical course and predictors of TS symptom remission into adulthood.

Recent Findings

Ten studies were included in this systematic review. While a range of tic remission in adulthood was reported (0 to 47.2%), studies mostly identified adult remission rates between 10 and 20%. Studies that employed clinician-rated assessments and/or video observation protocols had lower remission rates. Across studies, several childhood predictors were identified that related to neurobiological functioning (e.g., larger total caudate nucleus), neurocognitive functioning (e.g., higher dominant hand Purdue pegboard scores), and psychiatric functioning (e.g., presence of academic impairment, ADHD diagnosis). However, only two childhood predictors were consistently identified across studies (lower baseline tic severity and younger age of TS onset).

Summary

While tic symptoms decrease for many youth with TS into adulthood, complete tic remission is infrequent. Several predictors of tic remission were identified across studies, which included lower baseline tic severity and younger age of TS onset. Future research is critical to provide patients and families with accurate insight about childhood predictors and developmental trajectories of childhood TS into adulthood.

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Funding

This research was supported in part by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Numbers TL4GM118989, UL1GM118988, and RL5GM118987, which in part supported Ms. Reagan’s education and training. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Sara Reagan, Nicholas S. Myers & Joseph F. McGuire

  2. Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Nicholas S. Myers

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Correspondence to Joseph F. McGuire.

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Reagan, S., Myers, N.S. & McGuire, J.F. The Developmental Trajectories and Long-Term Outcomes of Childhood Tourette Syndrome: a Systematic Review. Curr Dev Disord Rep 9, 156–168 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-022-00258-0

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