Emory University researchers say cholinergic agents may offer relief from tics in adults with Tourett...( toms. Low doses of Tacrine s...),Health

"Low doses of Tacrine seemed to address not only the tic symptoms but other symptoms like inattention, impulsivity and obsession which tend to be more disabling than the tics themselves," Dr. Juncos says. "Nonetheless, Tacrine is not an ideal drug since it is short acting and needs to be taken four times a day. It can also cause liver damage, thus requiring periodic monitoring of the liver profile. The findings with Tacrine, however, provide hope that perhaps other agents in this category currently under investigation may prove safer and more effective."

Tourette syndrome is a neurologic disorder usually diagnosed in children under age 21. Average age of patients in the current study was 24. The characteristic motor and vocal tics associated with the disorder are mild in the majority of patients and often diminish or stabilize with age. Although the public often associates coprolalia with Tourette syndrome, this is in fact a relatively rare but socially disabling symptom. Coprolalia is considered a complex vocal tic and consists of involuntary swearing in public. However, many children with Tourette also exhibit symptoms of ADHD such as short attention span, poor concentration, impulsivity and hyperactivity, according to Dr. Juncos.

Among other studies, Dr. Juncos also is leading the Emory arm of the federally funded "Treatment of ADHD in Children with Tourette Syndrome (TACT)" study.

The current Tacrine study was funded by the National Tourette Syndrome Association based in Bayside, N.Y.

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Contact: Sarah Goodwin
sgoodwi@emory.edu
404-727-5686
Emory University Health Sciences Center
5-Jun-1999