Tics Temporally Associated with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Pediatric Patients: A Sui Generis Case Series

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health concern in Canada, with falls, blows to the head, car accidents, and sports-related injuries being the leading causes. Post-traumatic movement disorders, such as tics, can occur after a TBI, but their association with mild TBIs has been less explored. This manuscript presents two pediatric cases of de novo tics following mild TBIs, shedding light on this unique phenomenon. Possible mechanisms linking mild TBI and tics, such as genetic predisposition and stress-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, are discussed. This paper emphasizes the importance of recognizing tics as a potential consequence of mild TBIs in children, and underscores the need for further research to shed light on the mechanism involved.