What causes tic disorders?

The exact cause of tic disorders is unknown.

The exact cause is unknown

The exact cause of tic disorders is unknown, but some research suggests that it happens when there’s a problem with how nerves communicate in certain areas of the brain. An upset in the balance of neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain that carry nerve signals from cell to cell) might play a role.

Suspected to be genetic

Tic disorders are suspected to be genetic disorders, which means that they are the result of a change in genes that’s either inherited (passed on from parent to child) or happens during development in the womb. However, this view has not been proven. Twins can have widely different degrees of symptoms due to different experiences and environments.

Triggers

In the “learn possible triggers” section of this website, various triggers of tic disorders are introduced. However, note that triggers are not the underlying cause of tic disorders and triggers differ for different individuals. But avoidance of triggers can improve patients’ wellbeing by reducing symptoms.