Tourette's syndrome in children: neurological, neuropsychological and psychiatric issues

The interplay between neurologic, neuropsychologic and psychiatric features makes Tourette's syndrome (TS) a paradigmatic model for neuropsychiatric d isorders. The aim of this paper is to review this complex interplay of clin ical features. After a survey of some epidemiological studies, the natural history of neurological behavioral and psychological characteristics of the syndrome is described. The problem of high psychiatric comorbidity, firstl y with obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention deficit-hyperactivity di sorder, is discussed. Neuropsychological features of TS are considered, as they can negatively affect the quality of life of affected patients. Consid erations on treatment, pharmacologic as well as educational and psychothera peutic, conclude this review.