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Sensory phenomena in Tourette's syndrome
L D Scahill1, J F Leckman, K L Marek
1Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, Connecticut 06510.
Advances in Neurology
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Premonitory urges, a sensory symptom, are common in Tourette Syndrome (TS) and may define the disorder. Clinicians should assess for these urges in movement disorder patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Sensory phenomena, including premonitory urges and "just right" perceptions, are frequently observed in tic disorders.
- Previous research suggested these sensory experiences were unique to a minority of Tourette Syndrome (TS) patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and significance of premonitory urges in tic disorders.
- To challenge the notion that sensory phenomena are rare in TS.
- To guide clinical assessment and future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies on sensory phenomena in tic disorders.
- Analysis of clinical data pertaining to premonitory urges in Tourette Syndrome.
- Comparison of current findings with historical perspectives on TS phenomenology.
Main Results:
- Recent data indicate premonitory urges are common in TS, potentially serving as a defining characteristic.
- The presence of premonitory urges warrants clinical inquiry during movement disorder assessments.
- A significant relationship exists between the anatomical location of premonitory urges and tic sites.
Conclusions:
- Premonitory urges are a prevalent feature of Tourette Syndrome, not limited to a minority.
- Clinical assessment for premonitory urges is crucial for individuals with movement disorders.
- Further research should explore the link between urge location and tic site, and sensory phenomena in other movement disorders.