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| tics [2026/08/05 13:19] – created Scott Larson | tics [2026/08/06 20:54] (current) – Scott Larson |
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| ====== Tics ====== | ====== Tics ====== |
| FIXME | * Sudden, rapid, recurrent, nonrhythmic motor movement or vocalization that is experienced as involuntary but can often be temporarily suppressed. |
| | * Typical onset between ages **4–6 years** and are preceded by a premonitory urge |
| **A tic is a sudden, rapid, recurrent, nonrhythmic motor movement or vocalization** that is experienced as involuntary but can often be temporarily suppressed.[1] Tics typically onset between ages **4–6 years** and are preceded by a premonitory urge.[1] Transient tics affect up to 20% of children; persistent tic disorders and Tourette syndrome are less common (0.3–1.5%).[2][3] | * Transient tics affect up to 20% of children; persistent tic disorders and Tourette syndrome are less common (0.3–1.5%) |
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| ====Classification=== | ====Classification=== |
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| Tics are categorized as **simple** or **complex**:[1] | Tics are categorized as **simple** or **complex**: |
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| - **Simple motor tics**: eye blinking, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, head jerking | * **Simple motor tics**: eye blinking, facial grimacing, shoulder shrugging, head jerking |
| - **Simple vocal tics**: throat clearing, sniffing, grunting | * **Simple vocal tics**: throat clearing, sniffing, grunting |
| - **Complex motor tics**: coordinated movements appearing purposeful (e.g., simultaneous head turn and shoulder shrug), echopraxia | * **Complex motor tics**: coordinated movements appearing purposeful (e.g., simultaneous head turn and shoulder shrug), echopraxia |
| - **Complex vocal tics**: repeating words (echolalia, palilalia), or rarely coprolalia | * **Complex vocal tics**: repeating words (echolalia, palilalia), or rarely coprolalia |
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| ===DSM-5 diagnostic hierarchy=== | ===DSM-5 diagnostic hierarchy=== |
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| - **Provisional tic disorder**: motor and/or vocal tics for [4][5] Watchful waiting with psychoeducation is appropriate for mild, non-impairing tics. | * **Provisional tic disorder**: motor and/or vocal tics for < 1year |
| | * **Persistent (chronic) tic disorder**: motor or vocal tics (not both) for >/= 1 year |
| | * **Tourette syndrome** >/= 2 motor tics adn >/= 1 vocal tic for >/= 1 year. |
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| | ====When to treat==== |
| | |
| | * Not all tics require treatment. |
| | * Intervention is indicated when tics cause functional impairment, physical discomfort, or psychosocial distress (embarrassment, bullying). |
| | * Watchful waiting with psychoeducation is appropriate for mild, non-impairing tics. |
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| ====Treatment approach==== | ====Treatment approach==== |
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| ===Behavioral therapy (first-line)== | ===Behavioral therapy (first-line)== |
| **Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT)** is the only treatment rated with high confidence for efficacy by the AAN and is recommended before pharmacotherapy.[6][5] CBIT includes habit reversal training (awareness of premonitory urge + competing response), relaxation techniques, and functional interventions. It reduces tic severity by **26–31%** and treatment gains are maintained for ≥6 months in children aged ≥9 years.[6][5] Efficacy appears comparable to pharmacotherapy.[6] | **Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT)** is the only treatment rated with high confidence for efficacy by the AAN and is recommended before pharmacotherapy. |
| | * Includes habit reversal training (awareness of premonitory urge + competing response), |
| | * Relaxation techniques |
| | * Functional interventions. |
| | * Reduces tic severity by **26–31%** and treatment gains are maintained for ≥6 months in children aged ≥9 years. |
| | * Efficacy appears comparable to pharmacotherapy. |
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| ===Pharmacotherapy (when behavioral therapy is insufficient or unavailable)=== | ===Pharmacotherapy (when behavioral therapy is insufficient or unavailable)=== |
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| - **First-line: Alpha-2 agonists** — **guanfacine** and **clonidine** have moderate evidence and a favorable side-effect profile (sedation, hypotension); preferred as initial medication in children. Particularly useful when comorbid **ADHD** is present.[8][4][9][6] | * **First-line: Alpha-2 agonists** — **guanfacine** and **clonidine** have moderate evidence and a favorable side-effect profile (sedation, hypotension); preferred as initial medication in children. Particularly useful when comorbid **ADHD** is present. |
| - **Second-line: Atypical antipsychotics** — **aripiprazole**, **risperidone**, and tiapride have evidence for tic reduction but carry risks of metabolic syndrome and tardive dyskinesia.[6][9] | * **Second-line: Atypical antipsychotics** — **aripiprazole**, **risperidone**, and tiapride have evidence for tic reduction but carry risks of metabolic syndrome and tardive dyskinesia. |
| - **Third-line: Typical antipsychotics** — haloperidol and pimozide are effective but reserved for refractory cases due to significant adverse effects (extrapyramidal symptoms, QT prolongation).[9] | * **Third-line: Typical antipsychotics** — haloperidol and pimozide are effective but reserved for refractory cases due to significant adverse effects (extrapyramidal symptoms, QT prolongation). |
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| **Comorbidities** are common and should be assessed: **ADHD** (alpha-2 agonists can treat both), **OCD** (SSRIs or CBT with exposure/response prevention), anxiety, and learning difficulties.[2][6] | **Comorbidities** are common and should be assessed: **ADHD** (alpha-2 agonists can treat both), **OCD** (SSRIs or CBT with exposure/response prevention), anxiety, and learning difficulties. |
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| ====References==== | ====References==== |
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| 1. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Dilip V. Jeste, Jeffrey A. Lieberman, David Fassler, et al. American Psychiatric Association (2022). | - [[https://docs.eyefixer.org/Manuals/DSM%205.pdf|Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Dilip V. Jeste, Jeffrey A. Lieberman, David Fassler, et al. American Psychiatric Association (2022)]] |
| 2. Child Neurology: Simple Motor Tics Associated With Thalamic Ganglioglioma. Chen Y, You M, Zhou H. Neurology. 2024;103(12):e210101. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000210101. | - [[https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000210101|Child Neurology: Simple Motor Tics Associated With Thalamic Ganglioglioma. Chen Y, You M, Zhou H. Neurology. 2024;103(12):e210101]] |
| 3. Comprehensive Systematic Review Summary: Treatment of Tics in People With Tourette Syndrome and Chronic Tic Disorders. Pringsheim T, Holler-Managan Y, Okun MS, et al. Neurology. 2019;92(19):907-915. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000007467. | - [[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31061209/|Comprehensive Systematic Review Summary: Treatment of Tics in People With Tourette Syndrome and Chronic Tic Disorders. Pringsheim T, Holler-Managan Y, Okun MS, et al. Neurology. 2019;92(19):907-915]] |
| 4. Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS): Clinical Report. Pediatrics. 2025;155(3):e2024070334. doi:10.1542/peds.2024-070334. | - [[https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/155/3/e2024070334/200384/Pediatric-Acute-Onset-Neuropsychiatric-Syndrome?autologincheck=redirected|Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS): Clinical Report. Pediatrics. 2025;155(3):e2024070334]] |
| 5. Practice Guideline Recommendations Summary: Treatment of Tics in People With Tourette Syndrome and Chronic Tic Disorders. Pringsheim T, Okun MS, Müller-Vahl K, et al. Neurology. 2019;92(19):896-906. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000007466. | - {{::practice_guideline_recommendations_summary_treatment_of_tics_in_people_with_tourette_syndrome_and_chronic_tic_disorders.pdf |Practice Guideline Recommendations Summary: Treatment of Tics in People With Tourette Syndrome and Chronic Tic Disorders. Pringsheim T, Okun MS, Müller-Vahl K, et al. Neurology. 2019;92(19):896-906}} |
| 6. Tourette Syndrome: Clinical Features, Pathophysiology, and Treatment. Johnson KA, Worbe Y, Foote KD, et al. The Lancet. Neurology. 2023;22(2):147-158. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(22)00303-9. | - [[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36354027/|Tourette Syndrome: Clinical Features, Pathophysiology, and Treatment. Johnson KA, Worbe Y, Foote KD, et al. The Lancet. Neurology. 2023;22(2):147-158]] |
| 7. Practice Guideline Recommendations Summary: Treatment of Tics in People With Tourette Syndrome and Chronic Tic Disorders. Pringsheim T, Okun MS, Müller-Vahl K, et al. Neurology. 2019;92(19):896-906. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000007466. | - [[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31061208/|Practice Guideline Recommendations Summary: Treatment of Tics in People With Tourette Syndrome and Chronic Tic Disorders. Pringsheim T, Okun MS, Müller-Vahl K, et al. Neurology. 2019;92(19):896-906]] |
| 8. Practitioner Review: Treatments for Tourette Syndrome in Children and Young People - A Systematic Review. Whittington C, Pennant M, Kendall T, et al. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines. 2016;57(9):988-1004. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12556. | - [[https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jcpp.12556|Practitioner Review: Treatments for Tourette Syndrome in Children and Young People - A Systematic Review. Whittington C, Pennant M, Kendall T, et al. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines. 2016;57(9):988-1004]] |
| 9. Child Neurology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Tourette Syndrome. Hirschtritt ME, Dy ME, Yang KG, Scharf JM. Neurology. 2016;87(7):e65-7. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000002977. | - [[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27527544/|Child Neurology: Diagnosis and Treatment of Tourette Syndrome. Hirschtritt ME, Dy ME, Yang KG, Scharf JM. Neurology. 2016;87(7):e65-7]] |