Tics and Tourette Syndrome: A Literature Review of Etiological, Clinical, and Pathophysiological Aspects

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a condition characterized by tics produced because of neuropsychiatric malfunctioning occurring in childhood, which becomes less severe in adulthood, followed by a difference in the severity of tics between two persons. TS is a diverse variable in which symptoms vary in different patients. It is associated with comorbidities like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression, and hampers the quality of life. Comorbid disorders must be investigated and treated as part of the clinical approach for all TS patients. Clinicians should be aware of the infrequent but serious neurological problems that can occur in these patients and recommend aggressively treating tics. Currently, there is more emphasis on symptom-based treatments by medicines, but as etiological knowledge improves, we will divert to disease-modifying medications in the future. Behavioral, pharmacological, and surgical methods can treat TS. Neuroleptics, other drugs, and behavioral therapies are the first-line options. Deep brain stimulation is evolving but has its pros and cons. The main focus of this review is on tics characteristics, how to manage and assess them, and limitations in the clinical spectrum.