| Tourette Syndrome (TS) is
a neurobiological disorder characterized by tics–involuntary, rapid,
sudden movements and/or vocal outbursts that occur repeatedly. Symptoms
change periodically in number, frequency, type and severity–even
disappearing for weeks or months at a time. Commonly, motor tics may be
eye blinking, head jerking, shoulder shrugging and facial grimacing.
Vocally: throat clearing, sniffing and tongue clicking.
No definite cause has yet been established, but considerable
evidence points to abnormal metabolism of at least one brain chemical
called dopamine. As TS often goes undiagnosed, no exact figure can be
given. But authoritative estimates indicate that some 200,000 in the
United States are known to have the disorder. All races and ethnic
groups are affected. |
|
Joshua Erickson, Nathan Joyal, Ryan Erickson, and Shayne Erickson on Capitol Hill lobbying TS issues.
|
