Oct 15, 2008 – A recent study shows the incidence of Tourette Syndrome is on the rise. The study published in the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine found “not only marked increases in autism as expected, but also in hyperactivity and Tourette Syndrome.”

    “This study highlights not only the alarming widespread rise of Tourette and neuropsychiatric disorders in children as a whole, but the growing need for support and services for the children and families affected by these disorders,” said New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome Executive Director Faith Rice.  

    The study, conducted by Denmark’s University of Aarhus, tracked over 650,000 children over a ten year period. Researchers found marked increases in diagnoses of Tourette’s as well as autism and hyperkinetic disorder. The report did not identify what had caused the increases.

    While autism has gleaned a great deal of media attention of late, with studies showing a clear rise in its incidence, Tourette Syndrome is silently gaining ground as well. In fact, Tourette is much more widespread than people realize—affecting as many as 28,000 kids in New Jersey alone.  Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an inherited, neurological disorder characterized by repeated involuntary movements and uncontrollable vocal (phonic) sounds called tics.

   An estimated 1 in 200 New Jersey schoolchildren show at least partial signs of Tourette Syndrome, which can range from severe verbal and physical contortions to milder tics that are barely recognizable. It is sometimes best known for sudden outbursts of profanity, but that characteristic afflicts only about 5 percent of those identified as having the disorder, advocates say. Commonly, people with Tourette syndrome also have co-occurring disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder and depression.

     NJCTS is working in close collaboration with Rutgers University to offer the world’s first TS DNA Sharing Repository. The repository is headed by noted geneticist Dr. Jay Tischfield. This is the nation’s first sharing repository of human tissue for the exploration of genetic links to TS. For more information on the NJCTS Sharing Repository visit tourettesyndromeresearch.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 October 9, 2008 — Somerville, N.J.–New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders, the group behind the world’s first TS DNA sharing repository, will feature an event on November 22 in Voorhees, N.J. Experts in genetics and pediatric neurology will present discussions on the diagnosis and treatment of TS.

Pediatric Neurologist Dr. Larry Brown of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will discuss state-of-the-art treatments for TS and associated disorders including attention deficit, attention deficit hyperactivity and obsessive compulsive disorders; depression and rage.

Dr. Jay Tischfield, Director of the NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome TS Sharing Repository at Rutgers will present information on TS genetics research. Research has revealed that Tourette Syndrome (TS) has a strong inherited component, and in recent years, the disorder has been linked to specific genes but these may account for only rare forms of TS. The repository gathers information and samples from those who have TS and/or relatives of those with TS to make this research possible. For more information on the TS Sharing Repository visit http://www.tourettesyndromeresearch.org

The November 22 event will take place at Virtua West Jersey Hospital in Voorhees, NJ. Registration is required by calling 908-575-7350.

October 3, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: NJCTS 908-575-7350  

 Somerville, NJ–New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders host “Mental Health Treatment for Individuals with Tourette Syndrome: Does it Work?”  a free webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
     The presentation will be led by Lori Rockmore, Psy.D, Clinical Director: NJCTS Tourette Syndrome Program, Rutgers University Graduate School of Professional Psychology. The program will run from 7:30- 8:30 p.m. All are welcome to join this informative webinar. The discussion will focus on Tourette Syndrome and its associated disorders including attendion deficit disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression and rage. To register or to learn more about NJCTS, please visit www.tourettesyndromeresearch.org.
    New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome is non-profit organization behind the world’s first Tourette Syndrome DNA Sharing Repository at Rutgers University. The goal of the research is to help qualified scientists further the study of the genetic links to TS and ultimately lead to more comprehensive treatments.
     For more information on the Sharing Repository or NJCTS, please visit www.tourettesyndromeresearch.org.

TS DNA SHARING REPOSITORY HOSTS STATE-OF-THE-ART TREATMENT TALK ABOUT TOURETTE SYNDROME

TS DNA Sharing Repository hosts a presentation on “State-of-the-art treatments for Tourette Syndrome and assocciated conditions” by Dr. Robert King as part of NJCTS ongoing genetic research project.

Sep 10, 2008 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELESE            
Contact: Nicole Greco- NJCTS- 908.575.7350          

Somerville, N.J.- New pathways to treating Tourette Syndrome and its associated neurological disorders will be discussed by Robert A. King, MD on September 19, from 5-6 p.m. at Rutgers University in Piscataway. Dr. King is part of New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome- a partnership between the Tourette Syndrome Association of New Jersey, Rutgers University and medical professionals throughout New Jersey.

  Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder, most commonly expressed in motor of vocal tics that affects as many as 28,000 children and families throughout New Jersey.  Aside from providing support to those with TS, NJCTS has established the world’s first TS DNA Sharing Repository, and the world’s first student-run stand-alone TS Clinic- both at Rutgers University.

  Dr. King is taking part in the genetic study of Tourette Syndrome and on September 19th he will present recent clinical advances in medication and other state-of-the-art  treatments for Tourette Syndrome and other associated disorders. Dr. King will answer questions and describe the ongoing genetic research study by NJCTS.

 Dr. King wills Medical Director of Tourette/OCD/Anxiety Disorder Clinic at the Yale University Child Study Center where he is also Professor of Child Psychiatry. He is the author of numerous scientific papers and wrote the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s Practice Parameter on Assessment and Treatment of Childhood OCD.

Visit www.tourettesyndromeresearch.org for more information.