New Guideline Published on Tourette Syndrome, Other Tic Disorders

By the Editors

The American Academy of Neurology has issued guidelines on assessing and managing tics in patients with Tourette Syndrome and chronic tic disorders. The 46 recommendations cover when to pursue treatment and which treatments to choose.

Among them:

• Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics is recommended as an initial treatment.

• For patients with Tourette's who self-medicate with cannabis, clinicians should direct them to medical supervision where they can be monitored for efficacy and adverse events. Depending on local laws, clinicians may consider treatment with cannabis in treatment-resistant patients.

• Deep brain stimulation may be considered in severe cases.