Tics

Tics are rapid, irregularly repeating, stereotyped movements or vocalizations accompanied by a release of internal tension. They have a compulsive nature, but are partially influenced by will. They ease when concentrating on another activity, worsen with stress and excitement. Unlike other hyperkinetic disorders, they persist even during sleep.

Types

 * Motion x sound.
 * Simple x complex.


 * Simple movement tics – clonic (e.g. twitching of the nose) or dystonic (e.g. opening and twisting of the mouth).
 * Complex movement tics (eg throwing strands of hair out of eyes).
 * Simple sound tics (coughing).
 * Complex sound (vocal) tics (e.g. coprolalia, echolalia, pallialia).

According to the cause: idiopathic (Tourette syndrome), symptomatic (secondary).

Etiology
Dysfunction of the basal ganglia - transient increased sensitivity of dopaminergic receptors.

Related articles

 * Extrapyramidal syndromes
 * Hypokinetic extrapyramidal syndromes