Gilles de la Tourette: more than just cursing | Right away

Sunday is European Tourette’s Day, a day dedicated to Gilles de la Tourette. A good thing on this day is there, according to neurologist Agnes Wertebroek. “Many people think that the condition is synonymous with swearing or swearing. But this only applies to 10 percent of patients.”

What exactly is Gilles de la Tourette?

“Tourette’s is estimated to affect one in 100 people. It is a neuropsychiatric disorder that is often revealed for the first time in children between the ages of six and eight. There is always talk of tics: involuntary movements and sounds. The diagnosis is made when there are both sound and motion statics and if they last longer than a year.”

“Soundticism is tongues, coughing, growling or snoring. We call it involuntary tics. You don’t want to, but you have to.”

Agnes Wertebroek, neurologist

So Tourette isn’t just about swearing?

“Most people associate Gilles de la Tourette with swearing or swearing.” But only 10 percent of patients suffer from it. Far more common is extreme blinking with the eyes, pulling up the nose or shoulders, nodding the head or a neck movement. Sound tics are also common.”

“Soundticism is tongues, coughing, growling or snoring. We call it involuntary tics. You don’t want to, but you have to. In this sense, it’s like suppressing a cough when your throat tickles. This is very difficult. In addition to tics, 85 percent of patients also have other traits such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive neurosis, ADHD or autism.”

How does Gilles de la Tourette come about?

‘We don’t know for sure yet. We know that genes play a role, but we don’t know exactly which ones. In the deep nuclei of the brain, a mismatch occurs between the brain region that activates movement and the area that inhibits movement. Dopamine also plays a role. When you react to the impulse, you feel good, but there is a lot more research to be done.”

Can it be treated?

“There are several possible treatments. The special thing about Tourette is that it is a neuropsychiatric disorder. As a patient, you can go to the neurologist, psychologist or psychiatrist. At best, you’ll be seen by all three.”

“Many patients notice that tics are exacerbated by the stress of the corona, and also that their cough or snuiftic is returning or getting worse.”

Agnes Wertebroek, neurologist

“That’s why we opened the Gilles de la Tourette ambulance at Hospital Group Twente three years ago. There we see both children and adults from the three different disciplines.”

“It depends on the complaints for which the treatment path is chosen. Tics can often be reduced with the help of behavioral therapy by a psychologist. Or with medication. In severe cases, deep brain stimulation, a neurosurgical procedure, can help. If a patient suffers more from obsessive or anxiety disorders, a psychiatric approach is better.”

Does the Covid pandemic affect Tourette’s patients?

“Tourette is very sensitive to stress, but also triggers. Many patients notice that tics are exacerbated by the stress of the corona, and also that their cough or snuiftic returns or worsens. This creates new stress, as society is particularly vigilant towards people who cough during the coronary age.”

Agnes Wertebroek is a neurologist and head of the Gilles de la Tourette outpatient clinic at the ZGT (Hospital Twente). For more information about Gilles de la Tourette, see www.tourette.nl.