Tourette Syndrome completely cured by brain surgery

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 03 Apr 2004 - 0:00 PDT


Jeff Matovic has suffered from Tourette Syndrome since he was six years old. He has undergone brain surgery in the USA and it seems that his Tourette Syndrome has gone. The doctors were amazed at their patient's response to surgery.

A technique called Deep Brain Stimulation was used. Tiny electrodes are placed inside the brain. These electrodes regulate electrical activity in the brain.

Dr. Robert Maciunas, the surgeon who performed the operation said "We were genuinely amazed at the patient's response."

Parkinson's Disease patients have had deep brain stimulation done on them, it helps reduce their shaking.

There is a part of the brain called the Thalamus, this part controls movement. The electrodes are placed in the Thalamus.

The electrodes send out high frequency electrical signals - non stop - and redress the shortfall that is causing uncontrollable movements to Jeff Matovic.

A battery is implanted under the patient's skin. This battery sends the electricity to the electrodes. The battery is located in the upper chest. A tiny wire makes its way up the back of his neck, up under his scalp and deep into his brain.

As Matovic suffers uncontrollable movements on both sides of his body, the electrodes have been placed on both sides of his brain. He has a tiny battery planted on each side of his chest.

The surgeons did not know how Jeff would respond to the operation. Dr. Brian Maddux, the patient's neurologist, said "Within hours after the stimulator was turned on, we observed the ceaseless movements become completely relaxed and he was able to walk normally. We were awestruck."

Geff says the surgery has changed his life. His ticks (sudden involuntary movements) and grunts have all gone.

This procedure could help thousand of people and maybe hundreds of thousand of people around the world.

WHAT IS TOURETTE SYNDROME?

Tourette Syndrome is an inherited, neurological disorder characterized by repeated and involuntary body movements (tics) and uncontrollable vocal sounds. In a minority of cases, the vocalizations can include socially inappropriate words and phrases -- called coprolalia. These outbursts are neither intentional nor purposeful. Involuntary symptoms can include eye blinking, repeated throat clearing or sniffing, arm thrusting, kicking movements, shoulder shrugging or jumping.

These and other symptoms typically appear before the age of 18 and the condition occurs in all ethnic groups with males affected 3 to 4 times more often than females. Although the symptoms of TS vary from person to person and range from very mild to severe, the majority of cases fall into the mild category. Associated conditions can include attentional problems, impulsiveness and learning disabilities.

Most people with TS lead productive lives and participate in all professions. Increased public understanding and tolerance of TS symptoms are of paramount importance to people with Tourette Syndrome.

The disorder was named for a French neuropsychiatrist who successfully assessed the disorder in the late 1800s:

Georges Gilles de la Tourette

Georges Gilles de la Tourette (born Georges Albert Edouard Brutus Gilles de la Tourette!) in 1857, made several valuable contributions to medicine and literature. His greatest achievements were in the study of hysteria and hypnotism; a competent neuropsychiatrist, he was particularly interested in therapy. With a colleague, he wrote a highly perceptive analysis of Sister Jeanne des Anges' account of her "hysterical illness" which was caused by her unrequited love for a priest.

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