Gilles de la Tourette syndrome: response to electroconvulsive therapy

J ECT. 2005 Dec;21(4):246-8. doi: 10.1097/01.yct.0000184618.00661.72.

Abstract

Tourette syndrome is a chronic disease characterized by vocal and motor ticks. Self-injurious behavior is observed in one third of the patients and can be life-threatening. Current medical therapy includes dopamine receptor antagonists and atypical antipsychotics. In certain cases, there has been some evidence about the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The case study below is a Tourette syndrome patient with self-injurious behavior and psychotic features and poor response to medical therapy. Two years of remission was achieved after 7 sessions of ECT and carbamezapine maintance therapy. In conclusion, ECT can be used as an efficacious treatment modality for Tourette patients with self-injurious behavior, psychotic features, or for those that are unresponsive to traditional methods.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / therapy
  • Tourette Syndrome / therapy*