Tourette
Syndrome Glossary
We created
this Glossary of Tourette Syndrome Terms to help people without scientific
backgrounds understand the terms and concepts used in Tourette Syndrome
research. Simply click on the letter index of interest to find the
term you are looking for. Some terms may have external links for more
clarification.
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Akathisia
- Inability to be still; a feeling of inner restlessness. A possible
side effect of neuroleptic medications
Antidepressant
- A prescription drug that relieves or minimizes depression
Arithmomania
- Compulsive mental counting
Associated
behaviors - The spectrum of behaviors sometimes seen in association
with Tourette Syndrome; include OCD, ADHD, and poor impulse control
Attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - A neurobiological disorder
causing distractibility and inability to focus attention
Basal
ganglia - Structures deep in brainstem that relay messages between
the prefrontal cortex and the lower motor and sensory areas
Behavior
therapy - Used with OCD and other conditions such as phobias; a person
is exposed to anxiety-provoking stimuli while being prevented from
performing the ritual or behavior previously used to reduce that anxiety
Bi-polar
disorder - Another name for manic-depression, a disorder involving
extreme ups and downs in mood
CAT scan
- (also known as CT scan) Computerized axial. tomography, a series
of computerized X-rays of the brain
Catapres
- See clonidine
Central
nervous system (CNS) - Refers to voluntary activity of the brain and
spinal cord
Chorea
- Abrupt, quick, jerky movements of the head, neck, arms, or legs
Chromosomes
- Microscopic, rod-shaped bodies in cells which contain genetic material
Clomipramine
- An antidepressant medication used in Tourette Syndrome to treat
symptoms of OCD
Clonidine
(Catapres) - A high blood pressure medication used in treatment of
TS. It can be helpful in controlling tics and ADHD symptoms.
Cognitive
dulling - A common side effect of neuroleptic drugs; involves short-term
memory loss and slowed thinking
Co-morbid
condition - Medical term meaning a medical condition that occurs along
with another medical condition, although one condition does not directly
cause the other
Compulsion
- The feeling of being compelled or forced to do a behavior, even
though the person experiencing the compulsion does not want to do
it. For example, evening things up, washing hands, cleaning
Coprolalia
- Involuntary utterances of obscene or inappropriate statements or
words
Depression
- Disorder producing depressed mood, appetite changes, sleep changes,
and sometimes suicidal thinking. Can often be treated with medication
Desipramine
- A tricyclic antidepressant used in the treatment of ADHD associated
with TS
Developmental
disability - A handicap or impairment originating before the age of
eighteen which may be expected to continue indefinitely and which
constitutes a substantial disability
Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) - A manual published
by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) which describes all
of the diagnostic criteria and the systematic descriptions of various
mental disorders
Dopamine
- One of the neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) involved in motor
and vocal tics
Dyskinesia
- A general term for involuntary movements
Dyslexia
- One type of learning disability that affects reading ability
Echolalia
- Involuntary repetition of words or phrases of others
Echopraxia
- Copying the gestures of others
Etiology
- The study of the cause of a disease or condition
Extrapyramidal
effects - Side effects of medications
Fluoxetine
(Prozac ) - An antidepressant used in TS to treat OCD and depression
Genes
- Material within the chromosomes that determines specific traits,
such as hair and eye color and stature
Haloperidol
(Haldol) - A neuroleptic medication used to treat TS
Involuntary
movements - Actions beyond one's control
Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI) - A scan of the brain or other part of the
body that employs magnetic and low-energy radiowaves. No radioactive
materials or dyes are needed
Methylphenidate
- A stimulant drug often prescribed for ADHD; can cause increase in
tics of TS
Monozygotic
twins - Identical twins
