Networks in the Field of Tourette Syndrome

Abstract

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neuropsychiatric neurodevelopmental disorder with the cardinal clinical features of motor and phonic tics. Clinical phenomenology can be complex since, besides tics, there are other features including premonitory urges preceding tics, pali-, echo-, and coprophenomena, hypersensitivity to external stimuli, and symptom dependency on stress, attention, and other less well-defined factors. Also, the rate of comorbidities, particularly attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, is high. Mirroring the complexities of the clinical course and phenomenology, pathophysiological findings are very diverse, and etiology is disputed. It has become clear, though, that abnormalities in the basal ganglia and their connections with cortical areas are key for the understanding of the pathophysiology and as regards etiology, genetic factors are crucial. Against this background, both adequate clinical management of TS and TS-related research require multidisciplinary preferably international cooperation in larger groups or networks to address the multiple facets of this disorder and yield valid and useful data. In particular, large numbers of patients are needed for brain imaging and genetic studies. To meet these requirements, a number of networks and groups in the field of TS have developed over the years creating an efficient, lively, and supportive international research community. In this review, we will provide an overview of these groups and networks.

Trends of Tourette Syndrome in children from 2011 to 2021: A bibliometric analysis

“…The basal ganglia has important motor regulation functions. The abnormality of the basal ganglia and its relationship with the cortical areas is the key to understanding the pathophysiology of TS ( Kleimaker et al, 2021 ). Evidence from a number of studies suggests that impaired function of the cortical-basal ganglia-thalamic-cortical circuit and a dysfunction of many neurotransmitter systems are probably responsible for TS ( Kumar et al, 2016 ; Singer, 2019 ).…”

G protein-coupled receptors in neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders

“…TS is commonly coupled with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and ADHD. 442 The underlying mechanism of TS remains poorly clarified. 443 – 445 Abnormalities in synaptic neurotransmission involved in the cortico-striatal-thalamocortical circuitry are implicated in TS pathogenesis.…”