Neuropsychological Evaluation in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Tourette’s Syndrome

Abstract

The neurobiological basis of Tourette’s syndrome is reviewed for the purpose of presenting a clinically relevant account of the neuropsychology of the disorder for the clinician who is behaviorally oriented. The neuropathology and neuropsychological deficits typically found in Tourette’s are reviewed, and a neuropsychological test battery is described that can be used to help characterize the clinical presentation of the disorder. Although Tourette’s syndrome is ultimately diagnosed by behavioral criteria, characterizing the cognitive deficits (or lack thereof) associated with the disorder is integral to fully appreciating the challenges posed by the disorder in any given case. The variety of cognitive deficits associated with Tourette’s is reviewed to show the importance of the neuropsychological evaluation in differential diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic decisions.