Tourette’s Syndrome is a Cognitive Neurological Disorder
Tourette’s syndrome is a cognitive neurological disorder characterized by involuntary tics, both vocal and motor. These tics can have various causes, including physical and mental factors. In the case of Tourette’s syndrome, tics are neurological in nature and result from disruptions in the brain’s information processing, leading to excessive commands being sent to the body. The syndrome was first diagnosed by French neurologist Georges Gilles de la Tourette in 1885.
According to the American Ministry of Health, Tourette’s syndrome is more prevalent among men, with a diagnosis rate three to four times higher than in women. While the Israeli Ministry of Health does not collect data on Tourette’s syndrome, the American Center for Disease Control conducts international surveillance on the disorder. Studies have shown that Tourette’s syndrome is typically diagnosed in early childhood, between the ages of 5-10, although cases in adults may be due to other reasons.
Evidence suggests that children with a family history of Tourette’s syndrome are at a higher risk of developing the disorder. However, Tourette’s is not considered a genetic disorder since some individuals with the syndrome do not have a family history of it. Awareness of Tourette’s syndrome has increased in Israel and other Western countries, but resources for studying and treating the disorder remain limited.
In Israel, there is only one clinic for children with Tourette’s syndrome, located at Schneider Hospital in Petah Tikva. Adults can seek treatment at two centers for movement disorders, one in Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv and the other in Sheba Tel Hashomer Medical Center. While there is no cure for Tourette’s syndrome, various treatments, including medications
