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Tourette syndrome, also known as Tourette’s or TS, is a neurological disorder that is characterised by involuntary movements and vocalisations called tics. The history of Tourette syndrome can be traced back to the late 19th century, when the disorder was first described by the French neurologist, Gilles de la Tourette.
Gilles de la Tourette was born in 1857 in Saint-Gervais-les-Trois-Clochers, France. He was a brilliant student and earned his medical degree at the age of 23. After completing his studies, he worked as an assistant to the famous neurologist, Jean-Martin Charcot, at the Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris.
In 1885, at the age of 28, Gilles de la Tourette published a paper describing nine cases of a new neurological disorder that he called “maladie des tics.” The disorder was characterised by involuntary tics, such as eye blinking, facial grimacing, and vocalisations. Gilles de la Tourette also noted that the disorder was more common in males than females, and that it often began in childhood and persisted throughout life.
The disorder was later named after Gilles de la Tourette, and his original paper is now considered a classic in the field of neurology. However, it took several decades for the disorder to gain widespread recognition and acceptance among medical professionals.
In the early 20th century, the American neurologist, George Beard, proposed that Tourette’s was a form of hysteria. This theory was widely accepted at the time, and many patients with Tourette’s were misdiagnosed with hysteria and treated accordingly.
It wasn’t until the 1960s and 1970s that Tourette’s began to be recognised as a neurological disorder in its own right. This was due in large part to the work of the American neurologist, Samuel Kurland, who conducted extensive research on Tourette’s and helped to popularise the term “Tourette syndrome.”
In the 1980s and 1990s, there was a significant increase in research on Tourette’s, and several important discoveries were made. One of the most significant was the identification of a genetic component to the disorder. It was discovered that Tourette’s often runs in families, and that certain genetic mutations may increase the risk of developing the disorder.
Other important discoveries included the identification of abnormalities in the basal ganglia, a group of structures in the brain that are involved in movement control, and the role of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, in the development of tics.
Today, Tourette’s is recognised as a complex disorder with a wide range of symptoms and severity. While there is no cure for Tourette’s, there are several treatments available that can help to manage symptoms, including medication, behavioural therapy, and deep brain stimulation.
In recent years, there has been growing awareness and acceptance of Tourette’s, and many people with the disorder are speaking out and advocating for greater understanding and acceptance. The Tourette Association of America, founded in 1972, is a non-profit organisation that provides education, support, and advocacy for people with Tourette’s and their families.
In conclusion, the history of Tourette’s is a fascinating and complex one. From its humble beginnings as a little-known neurological disorder to its current status as a recognised condition with a growing body of research and treatments, Tourette’s has come a long way. While there is still much to be learned about the disorder, the future looks promising, with new treatments and greater awareness and acceptance on the horizon.
