Handbook of Tourette's Syndrome and Related Tic and Behavioral Disorders PDF

Preface

When the first edition of this book was published in 1993, I commented how notions regarding Tourette's syndrome (TS) had undergone recent dramatic changes. Major shifts in views of the disorder included identification of its complex spectrum of clinical features (including tics and specific behavioral disorders, particularly obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), establishment of heredity as a major etiological factor, and recognition that, rather than a rare disorder, it occurs quite commonly in the population.

Views of TScon tinue to evolve rapidly, resulting in the need to convey this important information in a second edition. New data suggest that the TS behavioral spectrum extends to include anxiety disorders and rage attacks. More and more complexities in the hereditary transmission pattern of TSare becoming apparent, posing new challenges in the longstanding research attempts to identify involved genes. Recent epidemiological studies indicate that perhaps 1% of all schoolchildren have TS, with up to 25% of children with school problems demonstrating tics. A novel potential cause of at least some cases of TShas been proposed, namely, a poststreptococcal autoimmune process, which remains highly controversial. There have also been major advances in the treatment of TSwi th the availability of atypical antipsychotic drugs, guanfacine, new long-acting stimulants, and more antiobsessional drugs. In short, important developments have occurred in virtually all the topics covered in the first edition, making the publication of this second edition important and timely.

Appreciation and thanks are extended to the authors, who have provided clear, concise, and up-to-date information. I hope this book will help you appreciate TSas a fascinating condition that will help us learn about the most basic aspects of human behavior.