Tourette's syndrome: a behavioral spectrum disorder.

Tourette's syndrome is a fascinating, complex, hereditary, neuropsychiatric spectrum disorder in which the tics are only one of many symptoms. Data to date suggest the mechanism of inheritance is just as complex as the disorder itself and involves the coming together of a number of common genes that affect dopamine and serotonin metabolism. Because these neurotransmitters modulate the function of many areas of the brain, the result is a wide spectrum of behavioral disorders. As such TS provides a significant challenge to the physician. Because many of the newer medications are quite effective, taking on the treatment of this challenging and complex behavioral spectrum disorder can be extremely rewarding.