[Update on tic disorders and Tourette syndrome]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Neurology

Background:

• Tic disorders are neurodevelopmental conditions featuring involuntary motor or vocal tics.
• Classifications like ICD-10 and ICD-11 distinguish between transient and chronic tic disorders.
• Tourette syndrome diagnosis requires multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic for over a year.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the characteristics, diagnosis, and management of tic disorders.
• To differentiate tic disorders from other neurological and behavioral conditions.
• To highlight the importance of addressing comorbidities in tic disorder management.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing classifications (ICD-10, ICD-11) for tic disorders.
• Description of typical tic features, including onset, premonitory urge, suppressibility, and distribution.
• Discussion of differential diagnoses and treatment strategies.

Main Results:

• Tic disorders are characterized by specific features like childhood onset and partial suppressibility.
• Differential diagnoses are crucial, especially distinguishing from functional tic-like behaviors.
• Behavioral therapy is the first-line treatment, with pharmacological options like aripiprazole used off-label.

Conclusions:

• Tic disorders require careful diagnosis, considering their neurodevelopmental nature and differential diagnoses.
• Effective management involves first-line behavioral therapy and targeted comanagement of common comorbidities.
• Pharmacological interventions are available but often used off-label for persistent symptoms.