Health Information

Tourette's Syndrome

What is it?

Tourette's syndrome is an inherited condition that causes a certain part of your brain to function incorrectly. It causes an excessive activity of dopamine, a brain chemical that normally controls our body's movements. Some cases of Tourette's syndrome may be caused by an immune reaction to a streptococcal infection, or by other unknown environmental factors.

Tourette's syndrome patients have involuntary jerks and twitches of the face, head, shoulders and other areas of the body and also make involuntary sounds, such as sniffing, grunting, squealing or swearing. The symptoms change in frequency and may move from one part of the body to another. This disorder usually starts at age five to seven, though it can begin anytime before age 18.

UHN Resources

UHN Brochures & Pamphlets

• Krembil Neuroscience Centre

  English	Chinese	Portuguese

UHN Clinics or Centres

• Movement Disorders Centre
• Neuropsychiatry
• Tourette's Syndrome Clinic

Related Web Sites

• Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada
  Distributes information to individuals with Tourette Syndrome and their families.
• National Tourette Syndrome Association
  An US association helping people and their families cope with the problems that occur with TS.
• New York Online Access to Health - Tourette's Syndrome
  Links to "What is TS", "Care and Treatment" and other information resources.