Category FAQs Search : Special Needs Education
Question: Risk Factors and Causes for Tourette Syndrome
Answer: Scientists are studying the causes of and risk factors for Tourette Syndrome (TS) in an effort to understand it better, and to find better ways to manage TS and to reduce the chances of a person having TS. The causes of TS and other tic disorders are not well understood.
Although the risk factors for and causes of TS are unknown, current research shows that genes play an important role:
* Genetic studies have indicated that TS is inherited as a dominant gene, with about a 50% chance of parents passing the gene on to their children.
* Boys with the gene(s) are three to four times more likely than girls to display symptoms of TS.
* TS can be triggered by abnormal metabolism (breakdown) of a chemical in the brain called dopamine.
Some research has shown that TS is a genetically complex disorder that likely occurs as a result of the effects of multiple genes interacting with other factors in the environment. Scientists are studying other possible causes and environmental risk factors that might contribute to TS. Some studies have shown that the following factors might be associated with TS, but additional research is needed to better understand these associations:
* Smoking during pregnancy.
* Pregnancy complications.
* Low birthweight.
* Infection. Researchers have found mixed results about whether certain children are more likely to develop tics following infections.
(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 Dec 2020)
Source Link: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/tourette/riskfactors.html