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Questions posted in the
Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Question Title: Are there other causes for tics than Tourette's?Forum: Neurology Forum
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I have strange movements such as jerking my shoulders, moving my trunk around, rubbing one ankle with the other foot while walking, sudden arm movents, and clumsiness (dropping things, bumping into things, and falling). A neurologist said these were tics. He thought I might have Wilson's disease. Tests showed I have excess copper, but not enough to be Wilson's. Now he thinks I have Tourette's. I am 55 years old, and these movements started about eight years ago. Since I did not have tics in childhood, can this be true? Are there other movement disorders which could cause such symptoms? Thanks for your response.
The onset of Tourette’s in adulthood without a precipitating cause is very rare, you might wish to get a second opinion from a movement disorders specialist to explore the options. The onset of tics later in life is associated with a number of factors including Wilson’s disease as you mention, Huntingtons disease ( but a family history is required ) . Tics have also been described following head injury, viral infection, psychiatric medication, as part of obsessive compulsive disorder, following bacterial infections and as part of a Parkinson’s disease type disorder. Tics are therefore as you suggest seen in other movement disorders and you are justified in having concerns, I would strongly advise a second opinion from someone with a special interest in movement disorders. If you want such an opinion at the Cleveland Clinic movement disorders section the number to call for appointments is (216) 444 5559.
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