Table of Contents What is Tourette Syndrome? Tourette Syndrome Symptoms How are tics classified? Can people with TS control their tics? What causes Tourette Syndrome? Tourette Syndrome - Associated Disorders How is Tourette Syndrome diagnosed? How is Tourette Syndrome treated? Is Tourette Syndrome inherited? Tourette Syndrome Prognosis Tourette Syndrome - Educational Setting Tourette Syndrome Research Keeping on Top of Your Condition

Is Tourette Syndrome inherited?

Evidence from genetic studies suggests that Tourette Syndrome is inherited in a dominant mode and the gene(s) involved can cause a variable range of symptoms in different family members. A person with Tourette Syndrome has about a 50-50 chance of passing on the gene(s) to one of his or her offspring. However, that genetic predisposition may not necessarily result in full-blown TS; instead, it may express itself as a milder tic disorder or as obsessive compulsive behaviors or possibly attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder with few or no tics at all. It is also possible that the gene-carrying offspring will not develop any symtoms of Tourette Syndrome. A higher than normal incidence of milder tic disorders and obsessive compulsive behaviors has been found in families of individuals with Tourette Syndrome.

Gender also plays an important role in Tourette Syndrome gene expression. If the gene-carrying offspring of a Tourette Syndrome patient is male, then the risk of developing symptoms is 3 to 4 times higher. However, most people who inherit the gene(s) will not develop symptoms severe enough to warrant medical attention. In some cases of Tourette Syndrome, inheritance cannot be determined. These cases are called sporadic and their cause is unknown.