This document discusses Tourette syndrome, which is a neurological condition characterized by involuntary repetitive motions and noises known as tics. It provides an example of singer Billie Eilish discussing her experience living with Tourette syndrome. The document explains that tics are caused by abnormal activity in the basal ganglia region of the brain, which normally suppresses unwanted movements but fails to do so for those with Tourette syndrome. This results in tics occurring from signals reaching the motor cortex. The document concludes with the author's improved understanding of Tourette syndrome after taking a psychology course.

1. TOURETTE SYNDROME
A look inside

2. What is Tourettes
Syndrome?
Tourette syndrome is
a neurological
condition
characterized by
uncontrollable
repeated motions or
noises (tics).

3. Billie Eilish and
her experience
with Tourettes
Video by Inside Edition on
Youtube shows the moment David
and Billie discuss her
tourettes on his show.
https://youtu.be/h3e3XC4v-38

4. what are tics?
Tics are uncontrollable twitches, gestures,
or noises that individuals do frequently.
People who suffer tics are unable to control
their bodies. For example, a person may shout
certain phrases at random timings, or a
sudden hand-jerking movement.
there are numerous types of tics:
motor tics
vocal tics
simple tics
complex tics

5. So,which area in the
brain are involved
with these
uncontrollable
tourette tics?

6. The Basal Ganglia

7. How is the Basal
Ganglia involved in the
production of tics?

8. How it normally
functions
has a significant impact in reducing
undesired behaviors
but also supports the function of
willing voluntary movement

9. The BASAL GANGLIA
suppresses neurons
in the THALAMUS.
In particular, neurons in
the GLOBUS PALLIDUS are
continually inhibiting the
thalamus.
In relation to suppressing
unwanted signals
that prevents them from
delivering unwanted
movement-related
information to the
MOTOR CORTEX.

10. However, in
Tourettes, it is a
different case

11. These inhibitory
signals become
impaired
These inhibitory
signals become
impaired
Neurons in the basal ganglia
that are supposed to prevent
undesirable impulses from
reaching the cortex fail to do
so, resulting in the execution
of habitual action, tics.

12. Because neurons in the
basal ganglia are
defective, people with
tourettes have a
combination of strong
motor activity targeted
at creating behavior and
low inhibitory activity
that inhibits action,
resulting in tics.

13. My course
experience
that has allowed me to
better analyze the events
and phenomena around me.

14. I haven't decided on a speciality in
psychology yet, but following this
course, I may be leaning towards
neuropsychology.
This course has significantly improved my
knowledge on how tourette tics occur- prior
to this course, I would have had no means of
comprehending that it was caused by neurons
in the brain. However, thanks to this course,
I am better able to appreciate the concepts
of neuron activity and how a tiny spark can
have a large impact on how our bodies work.

15. References/Sources
Inside Edition. (2022, May 24). Billie Eilish Reveals She Has Tourette
Syndrome [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3e3XC4v-38
Mink, J. W. (2003). The Basal Ganglia and Involuntary Movements.
Archives of Neurology, 60(10), 1365.
https://doi.org/10.1001/archneur.60.10.1365
@neurochallenged. (n.d.). Know Your Brain: Basal Ganglia.
@Neurochallenged. https://neuroscientificallychallenged.com/posts/what-
are-basal-ganglia
Tourette syndrome - Symptoms and causes. (2018, August 8). Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tourette-
syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20350465