TOURETTES-SYNDROME - A DISORDER OF CINGULATE AND ORBITOFRONTAL FUNCTION

We discuss the clinical characteristics of ties and Tourette's syndrom e (TS) and also possible treatment options. Based upon an overview of published pathophysiological and PET data, and the results of a recent PET study of changes in opioid receptor binding in TS, we hypothesize that the disease arises due to dysfunction within the cingulate and o rbitofrontal cortex. The beneficial effects of dopamine receptor antag onists and dopamine-depleting agents in TS are suggested to be mediate d via basal ganglia-thalamo-frontal circuits, while opioid agents may act directly on the cingulate.