Gilles de la Tourette syndrome: etiologic considerations

The prevalence of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is 28/100,000 in subjects of among the school age population. Familial cases have been described, although it is not an hereditary disease. This indicates that non genetic factors are critical. The fact that Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is frequently associated with migraine, sleep disturbances, attentional or compulsive deficits, does not orient towards a specific cause. An environmental factor has never been demonstrated. Epidemiological studies should be developed in the future, and more systematic anatomical and biochemical researches should be undertaken.