Tic suppression: the medical model.
Tics are intermittent, repetitive, patterned but usually nonrhythmic motor movements or sounds performed in response to urges or involuntarily. They are the cardinal symptom required for a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of Tourette's disorder (TD). Many children with TD present with mild tics that cause no significant impairment. However, when tics cause pain or interference, medical treatment is reasonable. This article reviews current evidence for treatment of tics in TD with medications as well as deep brain stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation. It concludes with some context for understanding this literature, relevant to treatment decisions and future treatment research in TD.
Wu
Steve W
SW
Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA. steve.wu@cchmc.org
Harris
Elana
E
Gilbert
Donald L
DL
D002648:Child; D046690:Deep Brain Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020323:Tics / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D050781:Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation / Q000379:methods