December 11th, 2011 
admin Itch on my right arm
Now I must scratch the left arm
Has to be even
Must finish this test
Girl behind me popping gum
Cannot concentrate
Eyebrows up and down
Wiggling ears and rolling eyes
Gives me a headache
This Haiku was written by my daughter, Madeline. She is ten and has Tourettes, ADHD, and OCD.
Source: http://www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com/author/kristie/
December 11th, 2011 admin A new series produced for ITV available to view on ITV Player by clicking on this link - http://www.itv.com/itvplayer/video/?Filter=293521
Let us know your views on the series.
December 11th, 2011 admin Calgary, AB- The most disabling aspect of Tourette syndrome is that in 90% of cases, it exists in conjunction with another disorder. The most frequent co-occurring condition in people with Tourette is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), though the cause of this association is uncertain. Having one disorder can be disabling enough, but having two means coping with more than twice the disability.
New research published in the April 13 edition of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics by University of Calgary and University of Toronto researchers looked at nearly 400 children with Tourette syndrome to try to understand the connection between these two disorders. Their findings show that while Tourette and ADHD have a major genetic component, there are potentially preventable perinatal factors that increase the risk of a co-occurring diagnosis of ADHD in children with Tourette.
“We know that perinatal stress is a risk factor for ADHD alone. If you were low birth weight, if your mother smoked during pregnancy, or if you were born prematurely, all these things increase the risk of ADHD,” says Dr. Tamara Pringsheim, Director, Calgary Tourette Syndrome Clinic, aUniversity of Calgary Faculty of Medicine professor and lead author on the study.
To examine the link between Tourette and ADHD, the researchers looked at a population of children that had Tourette syndrome with or without ADHD and compared rates of perinatal risk factors such as low birth weight, prematurity, and maternal smoking in each group. Researchers found that the children exposed to these perinatal risks were two to three times as likely to develop Tourette syndrome with ADHD, suggesting that these factors play a role in the development of ADHD in children with Tourette as well.
Pringsheim, a neurologist and researcher says the important information from this research is for people at risk genetically for Tourette syndrome to take precautions when planning a family by “not smoking, trying to ensure a healthy weight for the baby, and receiving appropriate medical care.” Quality of life in children with Tourette syndrome is most importantly determined by the severity of ADHD symptoms; anything one can do to minimize the chances of a co-occurring diagnosis of ADHD will allow children a greater chance of success and happiness in their life.
Laura Locke is a board member of the Tourette Syndrome Foundation of Canada and became involved with the foundation when her son was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome at the age of 10. “Research into Tourette syndrome is vital. We have seen the difference it can make to have accurate information about this disorder and better medications,” she says.
Tourette syndrome has a great spectrum of severity. People with Tourette have motor and vocal tics — rapid, repetitive, meaningless movements and sounds. Common motor tics include forceful blinking, opening the eyes wide, head shaking and grimacing, while the most common vocal tics are sniffing, throat clearing and grunting. Some people are very mildly affected, while others have more severe symptoms which make the disorder more noticeable and disabling. It is believed that Tourette syndrome affects about 1 in 100 people; however, many people do not seek medical attention for the disorder because the symptoms are so mild.
“There are a lot of misconceptions out there about people who suffer from Tourette. The images we see on TV and movies are completely false. I have some patients who have severe tics, but less than 10% of patients with Tourette syndrome swear. It’s uncommon,” says Pringsheim.
Source: http://scienceblog.com/20281/tourette-syndrome-misconceptions-only-one-battle-for-patients/
December 11th, 2011 admin The use of cognitive-behavioural therapy to treat tics in Tourette syndrome may be as effective as and even superior to medication in certain cases. According to a new study published in a special edition of the International Journal of Cognitive Therapy by researchers from the Fernand-Seguin Research Centre of the Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital affiliated with Université de Montréal, it was observed that therapy has an effect not only on tics, behaviour and thoughts, but also on brain activity.
“This discovery could have major repercussions on the treatment of this illness. In some cases, the physiological measures could allow for the improvement of the therapy in order to tailor it to a specific type of patient,” states Dr. Marc Lavoie, certified researcher at Fernand-Seguin Research Centre of the Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital and with the Psychiatry Department of Université de Montréal, who conducted this study with his PhD student Tina Imbriglio and his clinician collaborators, Dr. Kieron O’Connor, psychologist, and Dr. Emmanuel Stip, psychiatrist.
Tourette syndrome is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics that worsen during childhood and reach a peak around the age of 11. The condition affects between 0.05 and three percent of children of school age and in certain cases, can persist into adulthood.
The research team invited two groups to take part in the study:
One group of 10 adults affected by Tourette syndrome
Another group of 14 adults matched for age and intelligence with no neurological or psychiatric problems.
The participants were asked to perform a series of experimental tasks to stimulate specific regions of the brain. During one task, the subjects had to respond to or inhibit their responses to traffic lights presented on a computer screen. An electroencephalogram was recorded in conjunction with each task. The patients were seen again six months later, after having received the therapy, to perform the same test. The results showed a significant reduction of tics following the therapy. Moreover, after behavioural treatment, it was possible to observe a quantifiable normalization of the brain activity, linked to the improvement of the symptoms in patients with Tourette syndrome. The originality of the results of Dr. Marc Lavoie’s team lies in the discovery of a measurable cerebral change following these cognitive and behavioural changes in symptoms
“On the one hand, therapy leads to cognitive restructuring, and on the other, to behavioural and physiological modifications. This promising study is the first to demonstrate the physiological effects of cognitive-behavioural therapy for patients with Tourette syndrome. However, other studies will need to confirm these results using a larger sample,” added Dr. Lavoie.
Source: http://scienceblog.com/44336/non-drug-therapy-to-reduce-tourette-tics/
December 11th, 2011 admin Enhanced abilities likely result from brain changes linked to constantly repressing tics, researchers say
THURSDAY, March 24 (HealthDay News) — Children with Tourette syndrome perform behavioral tests of cognitive motor control more quickly and accurately than those without the disorder, a new study found.
Tourette syndrome is characterized by repeated involuntary sounds and physical movements called tics, which may involve blinking, grimacing, shrugging, twisting, grunting or — in rare adult cases — blurting out swear words.
The enhanced cognitive motor control in people with Tourette syndrome arises from structural and functional changes in the brain that likely result from the need to constantly suppress tics, according to the authors of the study, which was published online March 24 in the journal Current Biology.
“The motor outputs of children with Tourette syndrome are under greater cognitive control. You might view this as their being less likely to respond without thinking, or as being less reflexive,” Stephen Jackson, of the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom, said in a journal news release.
MRI exams also confirmed that the “Tourette’s brain” showed changes in the white-matter connections that allowed different brain areas to communicate with each another, Jackson added.
The study findings may help explain why some people with Tourette syndrome who have profound tics during childhood are relatively tic-free by early adulthood, while others continue to have severe tics throughout their life, the researchers said.
The findings also suggest that people with Tourette syndrome may benefit from “brain training” techniques that help them gain control of their symptoms.
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more aboutTourette syndrome.
– Robert Preidt
SOURCE: Current Biology, news release, March 24, 2011
Last Updated: March 24, 2011
sOURCE http://consumer.healthday.com/
December 8th, 2011 admin I know as well as most TS sufferers (although sufferers is probably the wrong word) that tics are always around the corner. The second I feel it coming on I think about it first by visualizing myself doing it then thinking how disappointed I would be in myself if I gave in. I take a deep breath then stop it.
It is at this point I get the greatest feeling of satisfaction. Although this doesn’t work every time. Depending on external factors and influences this success rate can vary.
Once you have stopped a tic outburst you feel proud and real sense of progress. It is essentially mental reconditioning. This takes a lot of energy and will to do and this is and should be viewed as such a positive quality. It means you have the ability to stop, think, step back and change course.
I have found over the years that people come to me for advice and guidance in their own lives and issues. I feel I am better equipped to deal with other’s problems and that’s all thanks to having Tourette Syndrome. It gives me the ability to rationalize better and be objective. Two skills which a lot of people lack, only due to their circumstances.
You should always be proud of yourself. Let’s face it, from a social point of view Tourette Syndrome is taboo and ‘weird’ to a lot of people which can make our lives more difficult. We have accepted this and carried on regardless.
It doesn’t matter what job you do or how much you earn. You will always have a success story whilst managing Tourette Syndrome.
December 8th, 2011 admin This is taken from an email so the name has been removed to open it up to visitors.
Hi
I am a sufferer of TS and leading up to Christmas I find myself getting anxious and stressed. The same goes for anything I am looking forward to as I become slightly more hyperactive. Tics are more apparent and work colleagues are starting to notice but have not said anything.
The question is how do you keep it in mind that you should remain calm and level whilst doing day to day things?
December 7th, 2011 admin Just to let you know the TS Forum us now live and ready. We need people to log on so we can support and guidance to those who need it.
I will at the other end at all times ready to help where I can.
Thank you, Lucas
December 7th, 2011 admin Welcome to the new look site which will have all of the same content as the old one. However the new one has endless scope for development of articles.
I have also added a blog facility so I can publish my thoughts and experiences and you can add your comments.
One other addition is a TS Forum. I received lots of requests for this facility in the past.
I am working hard to get the new site so bear with me. If you want to get in touch in the meantime then please email me at info@tourettesyndrome.eu.
Thanks, Lucas May