Graduation Year
Spring 2012
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Psychology
Reader 1
Catherine L. Reed
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2012 Kacie L. Curd
Abstract
The etiology of Tourette syndrome has been elusive for researchers ever since its discovery, making treatment especially difficult. After proving the disorder was organic in the second half of the 20th century, researchers have been creating theories of the underlying neural basis for Tourette’s symptomatology. These theories include abnormalities in brain structure, dysregulation of the dopamine system, dysregulation of the serotonin system and overall neurotransmitter system interactions. The etiology is likely a complex combination of all of these. Treatments for this disorder include pharmacological, behavioral and surgical. I believe the best approach for treatment is behavioral first, followed by pharmacological if behavioral does not work, and then surgical as a last resort if the previous two do not show results.
Recommended Citation
Curd, Kacie L., "The Neuroanatomical Functions of Tourette Syndrome and a Treatment Analysis" (2012). CMC Senior Theses. 315.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/315
