Innovative Therapeutic Areas
Tourette Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms and Long-Term Effects
This overview explores Tourette Syndrome (TS), including its causes and symptoms, how it can affect daily life, current approaches to managing tics, and Teva’s commitment to advancing care in this area of neuroscience.
Key facts
Tourette’s explained
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a chronic, neuro-developmental disorder characterized by involuntary recurrent motor and verbal tics which begin in childhood and are not due to another medical condition or problem 01
Primary symptoms
The main symptoms of TS are motor tics, which include blinking, shoulder shrugging or jerking movements, and vocal tics such as throat clearing, sniffling, humming or making other sounds. Tics can change in type, frequency, and intensity over time. 02
Secondary symptoms
Tourette Syndrome frequently occurs alongside other conditions starting in childhood, including ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety and other behavioral or developmental conditions. These may contribute significantly to the overall impact of TS. 03
Patient
impact
Beyond the physical impact of tics and sensory urges on young patients, Tourette Syndrome can also affect school performance, social interactions, emotional well-being, and everyday functioning and mental health of children who live with the disorder. 04
Global prevalence
There aren’t many definitive studies about the prevalence of TS globally, as cultural differences impact results. According to the CDC an estimated 1 in 162 children live with Tourette Syndrome and many may not be diagnosed. 05
Treatment options
There is currently no cure for Tourette Syndrome, but certain treatments or a combination thereof may help manage tics. Behavioral and pharmacological approaches may be used depending on symptom severity and patient goals. 06
Teva’s commitment to the care of Tourette SyndromeTeva is committed to expanding access to innovative neuroscience treatments for underserved patient populations, such as those impacted by Tourette Syndrome, utilizing the company’s expertise in neuroscience to support patients where there is high unmet need. Studies show that up to half of US children with TS may be undiagnosed. 05 Recently, the FDA has accepted Teva’s New Drug Application (NDA) for an investigational therapy for the treatment of pediatric patients with Tourette Syndrome. The application was granted Priority Review, with a targeted action date in early 2027. Safety and efficacy have not yet been established, but if approved, it could become a new treatment option for pediatric patients with Tourette Syndrome. 07 |
Patient perspectives
Living with Tourette Syndrome can involve more than managing tics. People may also experience misunderstanding or stigma, particularly when others do not recognize that tics are involuntary.
The impact can extend to school, work, relationships, social interactions and emotional well-being, as recently demonstrated to powerful effect by the award-winning film I Swear, which offers an authentic, human perspective on TS, highlighting the challenges of living with the condition while challenging misconceptions and stigma.
Living with Tourette Syndrome: Patient's Story
Watch our video
Understanding the lived experience of people with Tourette Syndrome, as well as the experiences of their families and caregivers, is an important part of improving awareness and support.
Living with Tourette Syndrome: Patient's Story
Watch our video
Understanding the lived experience of people with Tourette Syndrome, as well as the experiences of their families and caregivers, is an important part of improving awareness and support.
FAQs: About Tourette Syndrome
Who is affected by Tourette Syndrome?
Tourette Syndrome (TS) can affect people of all backgrounds, and symptoms most commonly begin during childhood. It is more common in boys than girls. Symptoms often begin between the ages of 5 and 10, with motor tics frequently appearing before vocal tics. 01
The condition can vary considerably from person to person. Some people have mild tics that do not significantly interfere with everyday activities, while others experience tics that cause pain, injury, distress or difficulties at school, work or in social situations.
References
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Back to contents.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Tourette Syndrome.
Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tourette-syndrome/about/index.html [Accessed October 2026]
What causes Tourette Syndrome?
There is no single known cause of Tourette Syndrome. Research suggests that differences in brain development and function, together with genetic factors, contribute to the condition. Scientists continue to investigate the biological mechanisms involved in Tourette Syndrome. 01
References
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Back to contents.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Tourette Syndrome.
Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tourette-syndrome/about/index.html [Accessed October 2026]
What are tics?
Tics are sudden, repeated movements or sounds. They are the defining symptoms of Tourette Syndrome.
Motor tics
Motor tics involve movement. Examples include:
- Blinking
- Facial movements
- Shoulder shrugging
- Head or arm jerking
- Jumping
- Tensing muscles
Vocal tics
Vocal tics involve sounds or words. Examples include:
- Sniffing
- Throat clearing
- Humming
- Grunting
- Repeating sounds, words or phrases
Tics may be simple or complex and can change over time. They may also become more noticeable during periods of stress, excitement, or tiredness. 01
It is a common misconception that people with Tourette Syndrome involuntarily swear. Coprolalia - the involuntary utterance of socially inappropriate words or phrases - is not required for a diagnosis and occurs in only a minority of people with TS.01
References
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Back to contents.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Tourette Syndrome.
Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tourette-syndrome/about/index.html [Accessed October 2026]
What are the long-term effects of Tourette Syndrome?
The long-term course of Tourette Syndrome varies considerably. For many children, tics decrease during adolescence and early adulthood, and some people experience substantial improvement or remission. Others continue to experience tics into adulthood. 01
The impact of Tourette Syndrome is not limited to the physical symptoms of tics. Persistent or severe tics may affect the following:
Daily activities
Tics can interfere with activities such as writing, eating, sleeping, exercising or communicating, particularly when they are frequent or severe.
School and work
Tics and associated conditions can make concentration, learning, completing tasks or participating in classroom and workplace activities more difficult for some people.
Social relationships
Visible or audible tics can sometimes lead to misunderstanding, stigma or social difficulties. Greater awareness and education can help others understand that tics are involuntary.
Emotional well-being
Living with a condition that others may misunderstand can contribute to distress or reduced quality of life. Co-occurring conditions such as anxiety and OCD can also add to the overall burden of TS. 02
References
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Back to contents.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Tourette Syndrome.
Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tourette-syndrome/about/index.html [Accessed October 2026] -
Back to contents.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Other Concerns and Conditions of Tourette Syndrome.
Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tourette-syndrome/other-concerns/ [Accessed October 2026]
How is Tourette Syndrome diagnosed?
There is no single blood test, scan or other laboratory test that can diagnose Tourette Syndrome.
Healthcare professionals consider the person's symptoms, including the type of tics and how long they have been present. Under current diagnostic criteria, Tourette Syndrome involves both motor and vocal tics that have been present for at least one year, with symptoms beginning before age 18. 01
Healthcare professionals may also assess for other conditions that can occur alongside TS, including ADHD, OCD, anxiety and other behavioral or developmental conditions. 02
References
-
Back to contents.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Tourette Syndrome.
Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tourette-syndrome/about/index.html [Accessed October 2026] -
Back to contents.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Other Concerns and Conditions of Tourette Syndrome.
Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tourette-syndrome/other-concerns/ [Accessed October 2026]
References
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Diagnosing Tourette Syndrome and other tic disorders
Available at: Diagnosing Tourette Syndrome & Other Tic Disorders - Tourette Association of America [Accessed November 2026] -
Back to contents.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Tourette Syndrome.
Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tourette-syndrome/about/index.html [Accessed October 2026] -
Back to contents.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Other Concerns and Conditions of Tourette Syndrome.
Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tourette-syndrome/other-concerns/ [Accessed October 2026] -
Back to contents.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Tourette syndrome info for Educators Information about Tourette Syndrome for Educators | Tourette Syndrome | CDC
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Data and Statistics on Tourette Syndrome.
Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tourette-syndrome/data/index.html [Accessed October 2026] -
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Treatment and therapy. Available at: Treatment & Therapy - Tourette Association of America
[Accessed November 2026] -
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Teva Pharmaceuticals. U.S. FDA Accepts Teva’s New Drug Application (NDA) and Grants Priority Review for Ecopipam, a First-in-Class Investigational Therapy for Pediatric Patients with Tourette Syndrome. August 19, 2026.
Available at: https://www.tevapharm.com/news-and-media/latest-news/ [Accessed October 2026]