Also called paliphrasia, this means the involuntary repetition of words or sentences. It is a symptom of GILLES DE LA TOURETTE’S SYNDROME.
n. a disorder of speech in which a word spoken by the individual is rapidly and involuntarily repeated. It is seen, with other tics, in *Tourette’s. It is also encountered when encephalitis or other processes damage the *extrapyramidal system of the brain.
Also known as Tourette’s syndrome, this is a hereditary condition of severe and multiple tics (see TIC) of motor or vocal origin. It usually starts in childhood and becomes chronic (with remissions). With a prevalance of one in 2,000, a dominant gene (see GENES) with variable expression may be responsible. The disorder is associated with explosive vocal tics and grunts, occasionally obscene (see COPROLALIA). The patient may also involuntarily repeat the words or imitate the actions of others (see PALILALIA). HALOPERIDOL, pimozide (an oral antipsychotic drug similar to CHLORPROMAZINE hydrochloride) and clonidine are among drugs that may help to control this distressing, but fortunately rare, disorder.... gilles de la tourette’s syndrome
(TS, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome) a condition characterized by the simultaneous appearance of verbal and motor *tics within one year. Motor tics can be simple (eye rolling, flicking, incomplete movements) or complex (involuntary movements consisting of several components, mostly involving the arms). Verbal tics can be simple (grunts, throat clearing) or complex (uttering of words or, in 30% of patients, involuntary obscene speech). Rarely, the patient may also involuntarily repeat the words or imitate the actions of others (see palilalia). The condition usually starts in childhood and commonly improves with age. The prevalence is about 1% with a male preponderance. There is a strong hereditary element. Drug treatment and psychological support are sometimes helpful. [G. Gilles de la Tourette (1857–1904), French neurologist]... tourette’s syndrome
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