ADHD Often Comorbid with Tourette Syndrome

Prenatal risk factors may increase occurrence.

Tourette syndrome often exists in conjunction with another disorder, and the most common comorbid condition is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to new research published in the April 13 edition of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioural Pediatrics by University of Calgary and University of Toronto researchers.

To examine the link between Tourette and ADHD, the researchers looked at a population of children that had Tourette syndrome with or without ADHD and compared rates of perinatal risk factors such as low birth weight, prematurity, and maternal smoking in each group. Researchers found that the children exposed to these perinatal risks were two to three times as likely to develop Tourette syndrome with ADHD, suggesting that these factors play a role in the development of ADHD in children with Tourette as well.

Read more about the study.