DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND NEUROBIOLOGY OF TOURETTES-SYNDROME

Objective: The authors present a model of the developmental psychopath ology and neurobiology of Tourette's syndrome that provides a framewor k for ongoing research and treatment. Method: The model is based on cl inical experience and a selective review of relevant scientific litera ture. Results: During the past decade, Tourette's syndrome and related conditions have emerged as model disorders to study the interplay of genetic, neurobiological, psychological, and environmental factors dur ing development. Although prevention and treatment are paramount, the effectiveness of these interventions depends on the quality and extent of our knowledge. Programmatic research combined with sustained clini cal care has led to advances in our knowledge of the natural history o f these disorders over the course of development and glimpses of the p athophysiologic and psychopathological mechanisms that mediate their e xpression in vulnerable persons. Conclusions: In the future, we expect that our understanding will extend from the molecular level of how sp ecific genes and epigenetic factors confer and mediate vulnerability t o an understanding of why certain symptoms emerge when they do in the course of central nervous system development.