1555 – Repetitive behaviors in tourette syndrome

Abstract

Introduction In Tourette Syndrome (TS), a neuropsychiatric disorder, tics are frequently associated with obsessivecompulsive symptoms that not always fulfill criteria for Obsessive- Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Phenomenological, genetic and epidemiologic studies suggest a strong association between TS and OCD, not only in patients but also in their relatives. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms can be found in 28-63% of TS patients. Motor portions of cortico-striato-thalamic-cortical circuits are implicated in tics and compulsions. Integrating these repetitive behaviors in Obsessive-Compulsive (OC) spectrum, a continuum between Compulsion and Impulsion, OCD tic-free is positioned at the compulsive end and tic-related OCD and ST are positioned between the two poles. Objectives This communication has as main objective to characterize the repetitive behaviors in TS by presenting the differences and similarities with compulsions. Aims To integrate TS in OC spectrum. Methods Articles’ selection in PUBMED and SCIENCEDIRECT databases and literature’s review about the theme. Results According to clinical features and treatment response, tic-related OCD has an intermediate position between OCD ticfree and TS, sharing common aspects with both entities. Conclusions TS may be differenciated from OCD subgroups, namely tic-related OCD, by its clinical features and therapeutic response. The presence of repetitive touching actions and ecophenomena seems to discriminate TS from OCD. The phenomenological characterization of repetitive behaviors in TS is extremely important, as tic and compulsion’s treatment is different.