Causes of Tourette Syndrome
Tourette’s Syndrome is linked to an area of the brain called basal Ganglia, which helps control the movements of the entire body. There are differences in the nerve cells and chemicals that transmit the messages between the brain areas. Researchers believe that the problems in the brain’s network could be a factor in TS. The doctors don’t know what exactly is wrong with the brain, but genes could play a role. There is a greater chance that there are multiple causes. People who have TS in their family are more likely than others to develop it. People in the same family may experience different symptoms.
You may also be interested in knowing how long your child’s tics will last, or what you can do to help him cope with these symptoms at school and at home. It is not yet known what causes Tourette’s Syndrome. This is a complex disorder, which is likely to be caused by a combination environmental and genetic factors. Serotonin, dopamine and other neurotransmitters (chemicals) present in the brain may play a major role.
Causes of TS remain unknown, as it appears to be linked to the part in the brain which helps regulate the movements of the limbs. Girls are more likely to develop TS than boys. Tourette syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder. The autosomal dominance disorder affects both males and females. Each copy of the gene must be present for tics or TS to occur. It means that a mother or father who has TS, or whose genes are linked to TS, may have a 50% chance of passing on the condition with every pregnancy. In 10 to 15% of children, the cause is not genetic.
Non-genetic TS is often associated with complications during pregnancy, such as head injury, low birthweight, encephalitis and carbon monoxide poisoning. It is important to note that the dominant disorders have incomplete penetrance, which means that not everyone will experience TS symptoms. If a parent transmits these faulty gene to their child, the child may not show symptoms of Tourette Syndrome. A daughter who inherits these genes has a 70% chance of developing TS symptoms. If a son inherits these genes, he is 90 percent more likely to have almost any TS symptoms.
Variable expressivity is another term for dominant syndromes. This means that there are different TS gene expressions in many people. For example, each person with Tourette syndrome may also have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Another chronic tic disorder, and another that is full-blown Ts. TS or full-blown chronic tics are also more common in females, as is obsessive compulsive disorder. Theories include abnormalities in metabolism, bacterial infections, and brain chemicals.
Techniques of relaxation could be useful in reducing the emotional and stress overexcitation that leads to these conditions. It is not yet proven that TS has a link to disorders such as ADHD or learning disabilities, including dyslexia. Research is focusing on several possible causes of Tourette Syndrome, including:
Streptococcal Infection
The streptococcus bacteria can cause a wide range of infections, ranging from mild to moderate. Serious conditions can be fatal. According to one theory, the infection that causes TS may be the cause of the neurological changes.
