NJCTS Grand Rounds Sessions provide clinicians with expert advice on recognizing and treating Tourette Syndrome

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 2, 2008

Somerville, NJ – New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders in partnership with Bergen Regional Medical Center is pleased to offer grand rounds sessions on October 21 at 10:30 a.m.

     NJCTS is the group behind the world’s first TS DNA Shaing Repository located at Rutgers University. The genetic materials collected through this endeavor are available to qualified researchers studying Tourette Syndrome. For more visit http://www.tourettesyndromeresearch.org.

NJCTS Grand Rounds Sessions feature national experts advising professionals on how to identify and treat the signs and symptoms of Tourette Syndrome. Family practitioners, pediatricians, neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other mental health and education professionals involved with the treatment and care of children and adolescents are welcome to attend. Sign up by calling  NJCTS at 908-575-7350 or e-mail info@njcts.org

Topics to be discussed:
   Evaluating behaviors and determining if Tourette Syndrome is present when children/adolescents exhibit behaviors associated with mental health and behavioral disorders such as anxiety, OCD, depression, ADD/ADHD, and school phobia, etc.
   Evaluating and examining the need for collaboration among psychiatry, neurology, psychology and social services for treatment of Tourette Syndrome.
   Identifying the latest treatment modalities and be able to select and develop the most appropriate treatment plans.
   Identifying the most frequently used medications (generic names only) for treating Tourette Syndrome and the associated mental and behavioral health disorders.
   
   When:    October 21, 2008 ~ 10:30 a.m.
   Where:  Bergen Regional Medical Center, Paramus NJ
                Building G Auditorium   
   Presenter: Dr. Robert King 
                    Professor of Child Psychiatry 
                    Yale University Medical School 
                    Medical Director of the Yale University Child Study Center -                                                                           Tourette Syndrome Obsessive    Compulsive Disorder Clinic
   Register:    NJCTS 908-575-7350 or e-mail info@njcts.org

NJCTS is a collaboration among TSANJ, Rutgers University and health professionals across New Jersey.

What is Tourette Syndrome?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September  19, 2008 – Contact- Nicole Greco (NJCTS) 908-575-7350Somerville, NJ- New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome offers the world’s first Tourette Syndrome DNA Cell Sharing Repository at Rutgers University. This genetic material is available for research world-wide.

    The material is donated by children who have been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and their families in the hopes of helping researchers understand the underlying causes of TS.

    Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an inherited (genetic), neurological disorder characterized by repeated involuntary movements and uncontrollable vocal (phonic) sounds called tics. In a few cases, the vocal tics can include inappropriate words and phrases. Symptoms generally appear before a child is 18 years old.

    Researchers know TS can affect people of all ethnic groups and that males are affected 3 to 4 times more often than females. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of Americans have full-blown TS, and that as many as 1 in 200 people show a partial expression of the disorder such as chronic multiple tics or transient childhood tics.

    The natural course of TS varies from patient to patient. Although TS symptoms range from very mild to quite severe, the majority of cases fall in the mild category.  Research through the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome’s DNA Sharing Repository will lead scientists to understand more about the genetic causes and markers for the disorder, but also to more effective therapies.

    Visit www.tourettesyndromeresearch.org for more information or to volunteer for this important study.