Causes of Tics Disorder & Natural Treatment (Neurotransmitter Levels in Tics/Tourettes Syndrome) Easy-List to write down!

Tics disorder is regarded as a milder form of Tourette's Syndrome (TS) and without the vocal symptoms [1]. However, in those affected, the symptoms of Tics can be just as stressful (and embarrassing) [2]. Tics disorder is defined by often multiple forms of motor tics; eye blinking, hand jerking, squeezing motions with the hand and sometimes other forms of muscle tightening and jerking [3]. 

The main causes of Tics are listed below. 

• A genetic variant in the histamine-producing enzyme HDC; which leaves the brain with about half of its normal histamine production [4].
• Too much of the serotonin 5-HT2A-receptor [5].
• Increased norepinephrine (noradrenaline) [6] and decreased breakdown of norepinephrine [7].
• Low Acetylcholine levels/activity [8]. Nicotine gum was shown to be effective in some TS-patients so nicotinic acetylcholine-receptors seem to be primarily involved [9].
• Decreased glutamate activity in certain brain regions such as the substantia nigra pars, globus pallidus interna & globus pallidus externa  [10] [11].
• Too much Cortisol/HPA responsivity [12].

In addition to that environmental/bodily factors such as...

1. Stress [13].
2. Allergen exposure [14].
3. Infection [15].
4. Inflammation [16].
5. Anger/Agitation [17].
6. Cardiovascular disease [18].
7. Trauma (mainly head trauma) [19].
8. Poor diet (too much sugar) [20].
9. Sleep Deprivation/too little sleep [21] [22] [23].
10. Chronic Health Issues [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29].

***Comments : Even though decreased brain histamine levels tend to be a genetic risk factor in Tics/Tourette's syndromes, you can't ignore the fact that all factors that INCREASE histamine (including stress & allergens) tend to increase Tics symptoms, so my guess is that the brain is also not using the histamine correctly. 

Also, the studies involving histamine-decarboxylase (HDC; the histamine producing enzyme) have not involved 100% of the families with known genetic TS. Therefore it is probable that not everyone has the exact same etiology. 

So to conclude, the reasonable way to treat Tics/Tourette's syndrome (without drugs) would be...

1. L-Histidine supplementation (to raise brain histamine). 
2. Metergoline or another serotonin antagonist (technically is a drug, but its safe). 
3. Sympatholytic agents (things that decrease norepinephrine), possibly Ashwagandha extract because it can calm the nervous system and it also hits acetylcholine (raising it) which can  help with the other imbalances in Tics disorder.
4. Glutamate is too tricky, but theoretically if low glutamate defines Tics then you could look into Glutamine and / or n-carbamyl-glutamate HOWEVER I have not heard of anyone who has had success in raising or lowering glutamate so I tend to think that the glutamate  abnormalties reported in Tics patients are more related to the decreased histamine and the issues with interneuron activity.

***Other Comments : Serotonin is not a guaranteed target, however since antipsychotic drugs that block serotonin receptors have proven efficacious in Tics disorder - it seems likely that this is the way to go. I'm not sure if lowering serotonin in general would help Tics, since it is ONLY the 5-HT2A-receptor that is abnormally elevated in Tics disorder.

**OTHER SOURCES**

Histamine control of Tourette syndrome (MedicalExpress Magazine)

Advances in Tourette Syndrome Research: Histamine and Genomics (Mount Sinai)

Treating Tourette's: Histamine Gene May Be Behind Some Tic Disorders (Scientific American)

The role of the autonomic nervous system in Tourette Syndrome (PubMed)

The Management of Tics (PubMed)

Tourette syndrome associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: The impact of tics and psychopharmacological treatment options (PubMed)

Behavioral and clinical profiles of Tourette's disease: a comprehensive overview. (PubMed)

In/Tags: causes of tics disorder, treatment of tics disorder, tics mild tourettes, treatment of tics disorders in adults, what causes tics disorder, what neurotransmitters tics disorder, easy list of neurotransmitter defects in tics disorder, tourettes syndrome and tics, neurochemical differences in tics disorder vs normal person, what neurotransmitters are wrong in tics disorder, what neurotransmitters are incorrect in tourettes syndrome, how to fix tics disorder, how to fix tourettes syndrome, how to  treat tics disorder, how to treat tourettes syndromes, tics  disorder, tics function in catecholamines, monoamines and tics disorder, monoamine oxidase a & b and tics disorder, monoamine oxidases in tourettes syndrome, overview of changes in tics disorder, brain changes in tics disorder, neurotransmitters tics list, how to treat tics with supplements, how to treat tourette's syndrome with supplements