torette's syndrome

[gingerflaps]

i have heard that torette's is hereditary, is this true?

[Buddy]

Not that I'm aware of.I have followed a documentary in Scotland of this guy called John who has been inflicted.He is ace,a brilliant laugh and so self effacing.He has a great job as a community worker.I would love him as a pal.So in a few words I dont think Tourettes is hereditary - but so what if it is cos he is a shining example of just getting on with it! 

[Buddy]

And BTW - if anyone knows John he's no bad looking too!!!!

[Clanad]

This from The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (U.S.)...

Evidence from twin and family studies suggests that TS is an inherited disorder. Although early family studies suggested an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance (an autosomal dominant disorder is one in which only one copy of the defective gene, inherited from one parent, is necessary to produce the disorder), more recent studies suggest that the pattern of inheritance is much more complex.  Although there may be a few genes with substantial effects, it is also possible that many genes with smaller effects and environmental factors may play a role in the development of TS. Genetic studies also suggest that some forms of ADHD and OCD are genetically related to TS, but there is less evidence for a genetic relationship between TS and other neurobehavioral problems that commonly co-occur with TS. It is important for families to understand 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. It is also possible that the gene-carrying offspring will not develop any TS symptoms.

The sex of the person also plays an important role in TS gene expression. At-risk males are more likely to have tics and at-risk females are more likely to have obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

People with TS may have genetic risks for other neurobehavioral disorders such as depression or substance abuse. Genetic counseling of individuals with TS should include a full review of all potentially hereditary conditions in the family.

[gingerflaps]

thanx for your answers, is there a site out there where i can read more info on it. cheers.

[Clanad]

Try here for one...

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tourette/detail_tourette.htm