Neurobiology of Tourette's syndrome: concepts of neuroanatomic localization and neurochemical abnormalities.
Despite a preponderance of evidence suggesting an organic rather than psychogenic origin for Tourette syndrome, the precise neurobiological abnormality remains speculative. Neuroanatomically, there is expanding confirmation that cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical pathways represent the site of origin for tics and accompanying neuropsychiatric problems. Pathophysiological hypothesis are generally defined based on involvement of (1) a specific anatomical site (striato-thalamic circuits, striatal compartments), (2) physiologic abnormality (excess thalamic excitation, impaired intracortical inhibition), or (3) involvement of a specific neurotransmitter or synaptic component. This review provides information essential for understanding current and future proposals pertaining to the neurobiology of this intriguing disorder.
Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. hsinger@jhmi.edu
Harvey S
HS
Singer
Karen
K
Minzer
D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology; D013788:Thalamus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents