Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome: tics and central nervous system stimulants in twins and nontwins.

Full Abstract

Thirty-four of 170 surveyed individuals with Tourette's syndrome (TS) were treated with CNS stimulants before age 18. In 24% of treated individuals, persistent exacerbation of tics was closely associated with treatment. In 3%, tic response was transient, and in 24%, tics were not obviously associated with treatment. Six pairs of monozygotic twins were discordant for stimulant treatment, and all untreated co-twins also developed TS. The number of individuals in whom stimulants permanently exacerbate tics may be small, but the risk appears to be real. Genetic vulnerability and duration and timing of treatment may mediate response.

Author information

Author/s: Price, R A (RA); Leckman, J F (JF); Pauls, D L (DL); Cohen, D J (DJ); Kidd, K K (KK);

Grants: HD03008 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS) ; NS11648 (Agency:NINDS NIH HHS) ; RR00125 (Agency:NCRR NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Neurology (Neurology), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1986-Feb; vol 36 (issue 2) : pp 232-7

Dates: Created 1986/03/05; Completed 1986/03/05; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 2868428, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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