Tourette’s Syndrome

Note: the jury is still out on this matter but it’s worth looking into now. Methylphenidate (Ritalin) and the Daytrana patch for ADHD is an approach to dealing with people who suffer from various issues that drive them to distraction. What’s notable is:

The means by which methylphenidate affects people diagnosed with ADHD are not well understood. Some researchers have theorized that ADHD is caused by a dopamine imbalance in the brains of those affected. Methylphenidate is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, which means that it increases the level of the dopamine neurotransmitter in the brain by partially blocking the dopamine transporter (DAT) that removes dopamine from the synapses.^[16] This inhibition of DAT blocks the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine into the presynaptic neuron, increasing the amount of dopamine in the synapse. It also stimulates the release of dopamine and norepinephrine into the synapse. Finally, it increases the magnitude of dopamine release after a stimulus, increasing the salience of stimulus. The stimulants do not work paradoxically. They stimulate portions of the brain that are underactive by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine in the striatum and prefontal cortex. An alternate explanation which has been explored is that the methylphenidate affects the action of serotonin in the brain.^[17]

That it is neither fully understood and that it is blocks dopamine transportation both make it bad, if not hazardous, for those with Tourette’s Syndrome. Dopamine transportation - and serotonin limitation - are exactly what most TS sufferers need, yet Ritalin does the opposite. 

See your doctor. And ask tough questions.