Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2020;25(5):401-412.
doi: 10.5863/1551-6776-25.5.401.

A Review of the Current Treatment of Tourette Syndrome

Review

A Review of the Current Treatment of Tourette Syndrome

Mary F Seideman et al. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2020.

Abstract

Tourette syndrome is a hyperkinetic movement disorder that presents before age 18 years and involves motor and phonic tics that may present with a wide range of severity. The severity and presentation of tics in an individual may fluctuate over time. Tourette syndrome may affect social relationships and school attendance, and may result in depression. Comorbidities are common, with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder being most common. The literature supporting optimal treatment is limited but provides a framework for clinical decision-making. The focus of this review is to discuss the symptoms and possible causes of Tourette syndrome and current non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment options, to help practitioners optimize care for pediatric patients with this disease.

Keywords: Tourette syndrome; behavioral therapy; pediatrics; pharmacotherapy; tics.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures The authors declare no conflicts or financial interest in any product or service mentioned in the manuscript, including grants, equipment, medications, employment, gifts, and honoraria.

References

    1. American Psychiatric Association 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
    1. Claussen AH, Bitsko RH, Holbrook JR et al. Impact of Tourette syndrome on school measures in a nationally representative sample. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2018;39(4):335–342. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Scahill L, Sukhodolsky DG, Williams SK, Leckman J. Public health significance of tic disorders in children and adolescents. Adv Neurol. 2005;96:240–248. - PubMed
    1. Storch EA, Murphy TK, Chase RM, Keeley M et al. Peer victimization in youth with Tourette's syndrome and chronic tic disorder: relations with tic severity and internalizing symptoms. J Psychopathol Behav Assess. 2007;29:211–219.
    1. Debes N, Hjalgrim H, Skov L. The presence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive compulsive disorder worsen psychosocial and educational problems in Tourette syndrome. J Child Neurol. 2010;25(2):171–181. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources