An update on the genetics of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: To summarize the current data suggesting that Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is inherited and genetic.

Methods: The extant literature on family studies, segregation analyses, candidate genes studies and linkage studies of GTS was reviewed and summarized.

Results and conclusions: There is considerable data that suggests that: (1). genetic factors play an important role in the manifestation of GTS; (2). several genes are important with some possibly having major effect; and (3). several regions of the genome have been identified as potential locations of these susceptibility genes.