The Fascinating History of Tourette's Syndrome: The Curious Case of the Cursing Countess

❗Tourette's syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by involuntary sounds and movements called ticks.

📚The disorder was named after Georges Gilles de la Tourette, a neurologist who published a collection of case studies in 1885.

🔍The first recorded case of Tourette's-like symptoms dates back to the 18th century, affecting Samuel Johnson, a distinguished man of letters.

💡Tourette's syndrome was initially misunderstood and often attributed to psychological factors before advancements in neurobiology shed light on its true nature.

👨‍⚕️Treatment for Tourette's syndrome has greatly improved over the years, providing relief for patients and their families.

What are the symptoms of Tourette's syndrome?

—Tourette's syndrome is characterized by involuntary sounds and movements called ticks. These can include physical ticks such as blinking, shoulder shrugging, and jerking of the head, as well as vocal ticks like throat clearing, grunting, and swearing.

How rare is the symptom of swearing in Tourette's syndrome?

—Contrary to popular belief, swearing is actually quite rare in Tourette's syndrome and only affects around one in ten people with the disorder. It is not the most common symptom.

Is Tourette's syndrome a common condition?

—Tourette's syndrome used to be considered a rare condition, but as it has become more well-known, milder forms of the disorder have been recognized. It is now estimated that between one and five percent of the population have some form of tick disorder.

When is Tourette's syndrome most severe?

—The symptoms of Tourette's syndrome are usually most severe in childhood, and they may lessen or improve as the individual grows older.

What led to the naming of Tourette's syndrome?

—Tourette's syndrome was named after Georges Gilles de la Tourette, a neurologist who published a collection of case studies in 1885. His work played a significant role in increasing awareness and understanding of the disorder.

00:18Professor Graeme Austin introduces the fascinating history of Tourette's syndrome, focusing on the case of the cursing countess.

00:30Tourette's syndrome is a neurological condition characterized by involuntary sounds and movements called ticks.

02:32The first recorded case of Tourette's-like symptoms dates back to the 18th century, affecting Samuel Johnson, a distinguished man of letters.

04:48Georges Gilles de la Tourette, a neurologist, published a collection of case studies in 1885 and contributed significantly to the understanding of the disorder.

06:35Tourette's syndrome was initially misunderstood and often attributed to psychological factors, but advancements in neurobiology have provided insights into its true nature.

10:59Arthur and Elaine Shapiro introduced effective medication-based treatments for Tourette's syndrome in the 1960s, challenging previous psychoanalytic approaches.

13:06Jean-Martin Charcot, a renowned neurologist, influenced Geoges Gilles de la Tourette's work and played a significant role in the development of modern neurology.

14:00Georges Gilles de la Tourette's extensive career included various medical advancements and contributions to both medical and non-medical publications.