[Gilles de la Tourette syndrome]

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome has its onset in childhood and is characterized by chronic motor and vocal tics and also complex tics. It is a lifelong illness with shorter and longer fluctuations in its severity. During puberty an aggravation in number and severity of tics is often observed, while symptoms in the third decade are reported to fade to some extent. The syndrome is found among all social classes, the male to female ratio is three to one, and it is probably inherited as an autosomal single dominant gene with varying penetrance. Gilles de la Tourette syndrome was earlier thought to be rare, but during the last years less pronounced cases have been seen. The etiology is not known, but a relative dopaminergic overactivity is a likely mechanism. It is possible to treat the symptoms with neuroleptics.