Síndrome de Tourette

Los medicamentos no detendrán completamente los tics, pero pueden ayudar a que sean menos frecuentes o menos perceptibles. Su equipo de atención trabajará con usted para encontrar la mejor opción y ajustarla según sea necesario.



Las opciones de medicación incluyen:

• Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists: These medications, like clonidine and guanfacine, are often used to treat high blood pressure but can also help reduce tics and symptoms of ADHD. They work by calming nerve signals in the brain.
• Antidepressants: A type called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like fluoxetine or sertraline, may help if you have anxiety, depression or obsessive thoughts along with tics.
• Aripiprazole: This newer antipsychotic helps balance dopamine in the brain and may lower the number and intensity of Tourette syndrome tics with fewer side effects than older medications.
• Central nervous system stimulants: If you have ADHD, stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine salts may help with focus and attention. In many cases, they don’t make tics worse.
• Conventional antipsychotics: Older medications like haloperidol and pimozide can reduce tics by blocking dopamine but may cause more side effects, so they’re usually only used when other treatments don’t help.
• VMAT 2 inhibitors: These medications, typically used for conditions such as tardive dyskinesia and Huntington disease, decrease dopamine release in the brain and can reduce involuntary movements.

La terapia puede ayudarle a controlar los tics, comprender su afección y sentirse más en control. A menudo se utiliza junto con medicamentos o por sí sola si los síntomas son leves.

Los tipos de terapia que su médico podría sugerir incluyen:

• Behavioral therapy: A trained therapist can teach you ways to change how you respond to tics. One proven approach is called Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT). It includes habit reversal training, education about tics and relaxation exercises to help you feel more in control.
• Psychotherapy: Talking with a mental health professional can help you deal with stress, anxiety, depression or OCD. It gives you tools to cope with challenges and build confidence.
• Family therapy or support: If your child has Tourette syndrome, therapy that includes parents or caregivers can improve communication, reduce stress at home and help everyone feel more supported.

Estimulación cerebral profunda (DBS) is a surgical option that may be considered for severe Tourette syndrome when other treatments haven’t worked. It’s usually only recommended for adults or older teens with disabling tics that don’t respond to medication or therapy.

Durante el procedimiento, un neurocirujano coloca cables delgados, llamados electrodos, en áreas específicas del cerebro que afectan el movimiento y el comportamiento. Estos electrodos están conectados a un pequeño dispositivo implantado bajo la piel en el pecho, similar a un marcapasos. El dispositivo envía señales eléctricas para ayudar a regular la actividad cerebral y reducir los tics.

La DBS no cura el síndrome de Tourette, pero puede ayudar a disminuir la gravedad de los tics en algunas personas. Como cualquier cirugía cerebral, conlleva riesgos, por lo que su médico sopesará cuidadosamente los beneficios y los posibles efectos secundarios antes de recomendarla.