BIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF GILLES-DE-LA-TOURETTE-SYNDROME

The Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is a rare and clinically hete rogenoeus neuropsychiatric disorder seen in worldwide and defined by w axing and waning simple and complex motor and phonic ties, with a onse t in childhood (under the age of 21 years) and long-term, and sometime s life-long course. Ties may also be accompanied by a variety of comor bid associated behavioural disturbances, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Evidence from s everal recent studies suggests that genetic factors are involved in GT S, but a clear linkage with specific genes has not been found. Dopamin ergic disturbances have been involved in the pathogenesis of the disor der since the discovery of remarkable benefits of haloperidol and othe r dopaminergic antagonists in these patients. However, serotonergic, n oradrenergic, cholinergic and opioid systems have been also implicated in the pathogenesis of GTS,ana they could be related with abnormaliti es in cortico-striatal-thalamic-cortico pathways. Likewise, functional neuroimaging studies have revealed metabolic abnormalities in the bas al ganglia and frontotemporal areas.