Familial Incidence of Gilles de la Tourette's Disease, with Observations on Aetiology and Treatment

Abstract

The three cases presented represent the first published familial occurrence of this rare condition that Gilles de la Tourette thought might be hereditary. Recent advances in the field of brain chemistry suggest the condition may be due to hyperactivity of the dopaminergic systems in the corpora striata. This theory would explain the similarity of the tics to those observed as a side effect in parkinsonian patients treated with L-dopa; the unique efficacy of haloperidol, a potent central dopaminergic agent, in controlling the symptoms; and previous clinical impressions supported by post-mortem findings of subcortical involvement. Haloperidol controls but does not reverse the basic pathology, so that maintenance therapy is necessary.