Tourette Syndrome Association

The Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA), based in Bayside, New York, United States, is a non-profit voluntary organization and the only national health-related organization serving people with Tourette syndrome. It was founded in 1972 by five couples, parents of children with Tourette syndrome including Bill and Eleanor Pearl, [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9906EED91730F930A25757C0A96F958260 Paid Notice: Deaths, Pearl, Eleanor.] "New York Times", 13 April, 1999. Retrieved on 28 February 2008.] along with psychiatrist Arthur K. Shapiro and his wife, Elaine.Pagewise, Inc. [http://ri.essortment.com/tourettesyndrom_rnkl.htm Tourette syndrome.] Retrieved on 29 June 2006.] [Kushner, HI. "A cursing brain?: The histories of Tourette syndrome". Harvard University Press, 2000. pp. 176–186. ISBN 0-674-00386-1.]

The TSA's mission is to identify the cause of, find the cure for and control the effects of Tourette Syndrome. It has 35 U.S. chapters, 300 support groups, and international contacts around the world. [Tourette Syndrome Association. [http://www.tsa-usa.org/TSANatlLocal/about_tsa/about_tsa.html About TSA.] Retrieved on 28 February 2008.]

The TSA "has been the major driving force in scientific and clinical progress relevant to TS", using its resources to encourage research and scientific initiatives,Walkup, JT, Mink, JW, Hollenback, PJ, (eds). "Advances in Neurology, Vol. 99, Tourette Syndrome." Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, 2006. p. xv.] and working tirelessly to promote information about TS.Cohen DJ, Jankovic J, Goetz CG, (eds). "Advances in Neurology, Vol. 85, Tourette Syndrome." Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, 2001, pp. xvii–xviii.] The TSA has worked for recognition of Tourette syndrome as an organic disorder, lobbying the public, the government, and physicians. They have become adept at winning grants and shaping media treatment of the condition.Pagewise, Inc. [http://ri.essortment.com/tourettesyndrom_rnkl.htm Tourette syndrome.] Retrieved on 29 June 2006.] Since its inception, research spurred by the TSA has grown in volume and sophistication, including controlled treatment studies and studies of pathophysiology and etiology.Black, KJ. [http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic664.htm Tourette Syndrome and Other Tic Disorders.] "eMedicine" (March 22, 2006). Retrieved on 27 June 2006.] Many new research findings are the direct result of the TSA's "active facilitation of large collaborative research consortia in genetics, neuro-imaging, clinical trials, and the behavioral sciences", and their "concerted effort to identify current research advances, disseminate them among the scientific and clinical communities, and establish networks of basic and clinical scientists from all over the world".

In 2005 HBO produced in conjunction with the TSA an Emmy Award-winning documentary film, "I Have Tourette's But Tourette's Doesn't Have Me."

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External links

* [http://www.tsa-usa.org TSA Official Website]