Evidencefor an strongXstrong-linked modifier of Tourette syndromeandits.pdfVIP

Proc. Nati. Acad. Sci. USA Vol. 83, pp. 2551-2555, April 1986 Genetics Evidence for an X-linked modifier gene affecting the expression of Tourette syndrome and its relevance to the increased frequency of speech, cognitive, and behavioral disorders in males DAVID E. COMINGS* AND BRENDA G. COMINGSt *Department of Medical Genetics, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010; and t59 Crestview Court, Duarte, CA 91010 Communicated by Rachmiel Levine, December 5, 1985 ABSTRACT A number of disorders affecting speech, Table 1. Sex ratios and prevalences for various central nervous learning, and behavior have a 3:1 or greater male:female ratio. system disorders This has usually been explained on the basis of a developmental Approximate model postulating a difference in the young male versus female Male/female prevalence brain. Tourette syndrome is a hereditary neurobehavioral Disorder ratio per 10,000 disorder due to a single major autosomal gene. It is associated with learning disorders and attention deficit disorder with Autism 3.8:1 1 hyperactivity and shows a similar predilection for males. TS 3.5:1 50 Because of the more obvious nature ofthe tics and vocal noises, Delayed speech 4.0:1 60 it is uniquely suited for examining an alternative hypothesis of Stuttering