Article

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by
involuntary motor and vocal tics. Sub-clinical postural control anomalies have
recently been reported in children with TS. The goal of the present study was to
determine whether these anomalies interact with attention in postural control.
Thirty-two younger (below 10 years) and 21 older (above 10 years) children with
TS were compared to 13 younger and 15 older age-matched controls. Postural
control was examined during standing with and without a secondary visual
attention task. Sway velocity was higher in younger children than older ones and
also higher in children with TS than in controls. The secondary task exacerbated
the velocity anomalies in younger children with TS. The effects were independent
of tic severity, medication, and attention deficit. The results suggest that
postural control anomalies in TS are sensitive to attentional requirements.
CI - Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS