Monthly Archives:
February 2025

IVIG Stopped Ella’s Self-Harm
IVIG Stopped Ella’s Self-Harm

Trigger Warning: Self-Harm & Suicide The following story discusses experiences with self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and psychiatric hospitalization. If you are sensitive to these topics, please...

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Neuroinflammation and pathways that contribute to Tourette Syndrome

Wu, X., Hao, J., Jiang, K. et al. Neuroinflammation and pathways that contribute to tourette syndrome. Ital J Pediatr 51, 63 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-025-01874-3

  • Tourette Syndrome (TS): A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics, often co-occurring with ADHD, OCD, and other psychological issues.
  • Neurotransmitter Imbalances: TS is traditionally linked to neurotransmitter disruptions, especially within the cortex-striatum-thalamus-cortex circuit, involving dopamine and glutamate.
  • Neuroinflammation: Emerging research shows neuroinflammation, often triggered by infections or allergies, contributes to neurotransmitter imbalances that may induce tics.
  • Infectious Triggers: Streptococcal infections (e.g., PANDAS), viral infections (e.g., enterovirus, COVID-19), and other pathogens (e.g., Chlamydia, Mycoplasma) are linked to TS exacerbation.
  • Immune Mechanisms: Inflammatory responses activate microglia and the peripheral immune system, disrupting neurotransmitter balance and leading to tics.