Tourette-like Syndrome after Long-term Neuroleptic Drug Treatment

Abstract

Tourette syndrome is a disorder of chronic multiple motor and vocal tics with an age of onset between 2 and 15 years. Clicks, grunts, barks, coughs and yelps are common vocal manifestations, while coprolalia eventually occurs in 60 per cent of cases (Shapiro et al, 1978). Nine years or more (Bruun and Shapiro, 1972) may pass between the onset of the disorder and its diagnosis. Although mental and mood changes are not an intrinsic part of the syndrome, suicide may occur secondary to the profound social disruption produced by the disorder.