title: Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Evidence supporting a genetic relationship.
abstract: Previous studies have suggested that obsessive-compulsive symptoms frequently occur among patients with Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome (TS). To examine the relationship between TS and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), data from all first-degree relatives of TS probands were obtained with a semistructured interview designed to collect information on the presence of TS, other tic disorders, and neuropsychiatric illnesses during the lifetime of the individual. The rate of OCD among first-degree relatives was significantly increased over estimates from the general population and a control sample of adoptive relatives. The rates of TS, OCD, and chronic multiple tics (CMT) were virtually the same in families of probands with OCD (TS +/- OCD) when compared with families of probands without OCD (TS - OCD). Finally, the frequency of OCD without TS or CMT among first-degree relatives was significantly elevated in families of both TS + OCD and TS - OCD probands, suggesting that some forms of OCD may represent an alternative expression of the factors responsible for TS and/or CMT.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Pauls
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Towbin
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Leckman
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Zahner
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000300:Adoption; D000328:Adult; D003237:Connecticut; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D012306:Risk; D013981:Tic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*