Gilles de la Tourette syndrome in Oriental children

Abstract

Seventy-four cases of tic syndromes were classified into four groups: chronic multiple tics, subacute multiple tics, chronic simple tics and transient simple tics, and 37 cases of chronic multiple tics (Tourette syndrome) were investigated. Clinical evaluation suggested that a transition existed between the four groups. Posture abnormalities were found in 27% of Tourette syndrome and a relation to dystonia was implied. Clinical evaluation and studies of catecholamine blockers' effectiveness suggested the validity of subtyping Tourette syndrome into four groups whose topographical or biochemical abnormalities differ. It was argued that the neurochemical basis of Tourette syndrome might lie in a multiplicity of biochemical abnormalities including disturbances of dopaminergic and noradrenergic pathways.