[Tourette syndrome: Research challenges to improve clinical practice]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Genetics

Background:

• Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and phonic tics.
• Tics typically emerge in childhood, peak before puberty, and often decrease in late adolescence/adulthood.
• The developmental trajectory of persistent tics into adulthood remains poorly understood, with few predictive markers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in Tourette syndrome treatment and symptom progression.
• To propose future research directions for improved management and treatment of individuals with TS.
• To address the limited efficacy of current treatments, which offer an average tic reduction of no more than 50%.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent advances in Tourette syndrome treatment.
• Analysis of studies on tic symptom progression from childhood to adulthood.
• Identification of gaps in knowledge regarding the persistence of tics into adulthood.

Main Results:

• Current treatments like pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapies offer limited tic reduction (average <50%).
• Predictive markers for tic evolution into adulthood are scarce.
• Understanding the developmental trajectory of TS is crucial for effective intervention.

Conclusions:

• Further research is needed to elucidate the factors contributing to persistent tics in Tourette syndrome.
• Novel therapeutic strategies and predictive markers are required to enhance tic symptom management.
• Improving the long-term outlook for individuals with Tourette syndrome necessitates a deeper understanding of its developmental course.