Tourette's syndrome and migraine

Arch Neurol. 1984 Aug;41(8):871-2. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1984.04050190077018.

Abstract

Among 60 patients with Tourette's syndrome (TS), whose mean age was 11.9 years, migraine was prevalent in 26.6%. This figure is substantially greater than that reported for the general population of school-aged children (4.0% to 7.4%) or for two control groups consisting of children with seizure disorders (n = 72) and learning disabilities (n = 62). The prevalence rates for these two control groups were 11.3% and 8.0%, respectively. The hypothesis is offered that the coexistence of TS and migraine in a subgroup of children with TS may reflect a similar abnormality underlying both conditions; specifically, neurohumoral dysfunction involving serotonin metabolism.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Migraine Disorders / complications*
  • Migraine Disorders / metabolism
  • Tourette Syndrome / complications*
  • Tourette Syndrome / metabolism