Abstract Details

Title Beliefs about Tourette Syndrome in Adolescent Patients with Tics

Topic Movement Disorders

Presentation(s) P17 - Poster Session 17 (11:45 AM-12:45 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 5-001

Objective To explore individual perceptions of causes and modifiers of Tourette Syndrome (TS) and tic disorders.

Background The development of tics is felt to arise from the complex interplay of genetic factors, underlying neurochemical changes in dopamine neurotransmission and impaired functioning of the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuits. Additionally, psychosocial factors can modulate the clinical severity of symptoms, suggesting a complex interplay between neurobiological and psychosocial factors. Unfortunately, false beliefs about TS are still prevalent and potentially detrimental to individuals with tics. Our aim was to characterize perceptions of TS among participants.

Design/Methods Individuals with tic disorders ages 11-21 (N=20) completed a 5-point Likert scale survey evaluating beliefs about TS. Respondents were asked to rate how strongly they agreed with 32 statements about the causes and treatments of TS. These statements represented larger categories including environmental, neurological, psychological, or social factors. Descriptive statistics (mean ± standard deviation) were used to evaluate the basic characteristics of the data. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare group data.

Results The mean scores for each category were: neurological causes (3.8 ± 0.312), psychological treatments (3.62 ± 0.299), environmental causes and treatments (2.04 ± 0.545), and social or parenting causes (1.8 ± 0.542). Comparison between groups revealed that neurological and psychological causes and treatments of TS were rated significantly higher than either environmental or social/parenting causes and treatments (f ratio = 39.55, p < 0.00001). (Detailed items regarding the individual 32 beliefs endorsed will be exhibited).

Conclusions This pilot data suggests that the average perception of TS in adolescents with tics is that external modifiers were less relevant than neurological and psychological variables. Further analysis is needed to understand a possible correlation between educational sources for TS and possible beliefs about TS.

Authors/Disclosures
Jessica Frey, MD (West Virginia University) PRESENTER	The institution of Dr. Frey has received research support from Tourette Association of America.
Tracy Tholanikunnel, MD	Dr. Tholanikunnel has nothing to disclose.
Heather Simpson Martin (UF Health)	Heather Simpson Martin has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Tourette Association of America.
Irene Malaty, MD, FAAN (University of Florida)	Dr. Malaty has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for Abbvie. Dr. Malaty has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Aevum. The institution of Dr. Malaty has received research support from Abbvie. The institution of Dr. Malaty has received research support from Revance. The institution of Dr. Malaty has received research support from Parkinson Foundation. The institution of Dr. Malaty has received research support from SAGE. The institution of Dr. Malaty has received research support from Emalex. The institution of Dr. Malaty has received research support from Acadia. Dr. Malaty has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Malaty has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Speaker & Center of Excellence Director with Parkinson Foundation. Dr. Malaty has a non-compensated relationship as a MAB member & Center of Excellence Directory with Tourette Association of America that is relevant to AAN interests or activities.

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