Non-genetic Influences
Studies suggest that non-genetic, environmental, infectious, or psychosocial factors—while not causing Tourette's—can influence the severity of the disorder. Twin studies have shown that the twin with lower birth weight is more likely to have more noticeable symptoms. Other perinatal events, such as maternal stress, maternal smoking, and obstetric complications, while not causing tics, may be risk factors for increased severity of tics. Autoimmune processes may affect tic severity in some cases: the unproven and contentious hypothesis that Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections, PANDAS, plays a role in the onset of tic disorders and OCD is a current focus of research.
Read more about this topic: Causes And Origins Of Tourette Syndrome
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