Tourette's May Improve With Age



Dear Dr. Donohue: My grandson was diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome at age 10. He is now 14. It developed after his dad suddenly died.

We are trying to keep him off medicine. Someone read on the Internet that fish oil is good for these symptoms. He has just started on it. One doctor said a low concentration of dopamine in the brain is the cause. What foods contain dopamine? - L.S.

Dear L.S.: Tourette's syndrome consists of tics - sudden, brief, involuntary and repetitive movements, muscular or vocal or both. Facial grimaces, constant blinking, punching arm movements or jumping leg movements are examples of muscle tics. Examples of vocal tics are throat clearing, sniffing or barking noises. The disorder most often occurs at young ages, between 2 and 18. The tics frequently diminish with age, and about half of those affected no longer experience tics after age 18. They can return later in adult life, however. Emotional stress (your grandson's loss of his father) can bring on Tourette's or worsen it.

It's a genetic illness, but the precise inheritance pattern isn't clearly known. Medicines that correct the dopamine imbalance are used for treatment. However, treatment is suggested only when Tourette's upsets a person's life. It sounds like your grandson's involvement with the illness is mild. I can't find anywhere that a change of diet benefits tic control. The family needs to contact the Tourette Syndrome Association (888-4-TOURET; Canadians should contact the Tourette Syndrome Association of Canada (800-361-3120; These organizations provide up-to-date information.


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