Tourette syndrome

Tourette syndrome, disorder of the central nervous system characterized by muscular tics, or twitches, and uncontrollable vocalizing. Symptoms first appear in childhood between 2 and 15 years and, if not treated, continue throughout the person's life, sometimes becoming more severe and other times less so. People with Tourette syndrome may also suffer from hyperactivity. Though no cure is yet known, symptoms can be alleviated by drug therapy.