Causes of Tourette’s Syndrome

There are certain myths involved about the cause of Tourette disorder. Many people believe that this disorder is caused in children as a result of faulty upbringing. Often parents are blamed for the development of this disorder in their children and made to feel guilty about it.

It has to be understood that this is a disorder of the nervous system and it is not related in any way to faulty upbringing. This is not a degenerative condition and people affected by this disorder can lead a normal life. People often blame the parents that this disorder could have been prevented.

However, clinical studies that have been conducted so far on this subject, have not come up with any method in which the development of tourette disorder can be prevented. The exact cause of Tourette syndrome isn’t known. Studies have indicated that Tourette’s syndrome can be caused due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some of the theories that can be associated with development of Tourette’s syndrome are as follows:

  • Genetic predisposition may be involved in Tourette’s Syndrome

Studies have shown that Tourette’s syndrome may be caused as result of genetic tendency. Children affected by this disorder may have a family member or a close relative who is suffering from tics or any other neurological disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or conduct disorder. However, scientists have still not been able to determine the exact genes involved that lead to the development of this disorder. This disorder is more common in boys than in girls and children between the ages of two to 21 years are more likely to be affected by this disorder.

  • Abnormalities in certain areas of the brain may be linked to the development of Tourette’s Syndrome

Another theory which has been put forward to explain the cause of Tourette’s syndrome is abnormalities in certain areas of the brain. According to some researchers Tourette’s syndrome is caused as a result of certain changes in the areas of the brain, especially the basal ganglia, frontal lobes of the brain, cortex and the circuits or the pathways that interconnect these complex regions of the brain.

  • Chemical Abnormalities may cause Tourette’s Syndrome

According to some clinical scientists Tourette’s syndrome may be caused as a result of chemical abnormalities in the neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin and nonepinephrine. Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers in the brain. They are responsible for the communication among the nerve cells. Any disturbance in their chemical composition causes disorder of the neurological system which is manifested in the form of tics.

  • Environmental factors may play a role in the development of Tourette’s Syndrome

Some researchers believe that there might be a link between viral and bacterial infections and the development of Tourette’s syndrome. But this theory is controversial.

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