Anecdotal reports frequently suggest some dietary involvement in the maintenance of tics in children with Tourette syndrome (TS). This scoping review aimed to (1) understand the possible influence of diet as a trigger of tics and (2) map out the existing studies documenting dietary interventions in children with TS. Current evidence suggests no single diet to benefit individuals with TS. However, reports from parents of children with TS suggest that certain allergens in food may exacerbate tic-related symptoms. For example, an increase in tics has been related to the consumption of caffeine and refined sugar. Moreover, oligoantigenic diets and sugar-free diets have been identified as significantly reducing tics. More research is urgently needed to develop more accurate guidance for parents and children with TS, as many have reported using dietary and nutritional supplements, despite the lack of evidence detailing any benefits, side effects and recommended doses.
American Psychiatric Association (APA) (2013) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5®). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub.
2.
AmmingerGPBergerGESchäferMR. (2007) Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in children with autism: a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study. Biological Psychiatry61(4): 551–553.
3.
ArkseyHO’MalleyL (2005) Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology8(1): 19–32.
4.
BakMFransenAJanssenJ. (2014) Almost all antipsychotics result in weight gain: a meta-analysis. PloS One9(4): e94112.
5.
BatemanBWarnerJOHutchinsonE. (2004) The effects of a double blind, placebo controlled, artificial food colourings and benzoate preservative challenge on hyperactivity in a general population sample of preschool children. Archives of Disease in Childhood89(6): 506–511.
6.
BlochMHPanzaKEYaffaA. (2016) N-Acetylcysteine in the treatment of pediatric Tourette syndrome: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled add-on trial. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology26(4): 327–334.
7.
BornsteinRASteflMEHammondL (1990) A survey of Tourette syndrome patients and their families: The 1987 Ohio Tourette survey. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences2(3): 275–281.
8.
BrunnRD (1984) An overview of clinical experience. Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry23(2): 126–133.
9.
CardosoFEJankovicJ (1993) Cocaine-related movement disorders. Movement Disorders8(2): 175–178.
10.
ChilversRSteinSChowdhuryU (2010) Tourette’s: 20 CAMHS cases. Community Practitioner83(8): 38–39.
11.
CorteseSLecendreuxMDalla BernardinaB. (2008) Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Tourette’s syndrome, and restless legs syndrome: the iron hypothesis. Medical Hypotheses70(6): 1128–1132.
12.
DavisKDreyNGouldD (2009) What are scoping studies? A review of the nursing literature. International Journal of Nursing Studies46(10): 1386–1400.
DegrauwRS, Li JZ and Gilbert DL (2009) Body mass index changes and chronic neuroleptic drug treatment for Tourette syndrome. Pediatric Neurology41(3): 183–186.
15.
DolskeMCSpollenJMcKayS. (1993) A preliminary trial of ascorbic acid as supplemental therapy for autism. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry17(5): 765–774.
16.
ErenbergG (2005) The relationship between Tourette syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and stimulant medication: a critical review. Seminars in pediatric neurology12(4): 217–221.
17.
FindleyDBLeckmanJFKatsovichL. (2003) Development of the Yale Children’s Global Stress Index (YCGSI) and its application in children and adolescents with Tourette’s syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry42(4): 450–457.
18.
GabbayVBabbJSKleinRG. (2012) A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids in Tourette’s disorder. Pediatrics129(6): e1493–e1500.
19.
GallandL (1993) Magnesium, stress and neuropsychiatric disorders. Magnesium and Trace Elements10: 287–287.
20.
Garcia-LopezRPerea-MillaEGarciaCR. (2009) New therapeutic approach to Tourette syndrome in children based on a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind phase IV study of the effectiveness and safety of magnesium and vitamin B6. Trials10(1): 16.
21.
GrantJEOdlaugBLSuckWK (2009) N-acetylcysteine, a glutamate modulator, in the treatment of trichotillomania: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Archives of General Psychiatry66: 756–763.
22.
GrimaldiBL (2002) The central role of magnesium deficiency in Tourette’s syndrome: causal relationships between magnesium deficiency, altered biochemical pathways and symptoms relating to Tourette’s syndrome and several reported comorbid conditions. Medical Hypotheses58(1): 47–60.
23.
GormanDAZhuHAndersonGM. (2006) Ferritin levels and their association with regional brain volumes in Tourette’s syndrome. American Journal of Psychiatry163(7): 1264–1272.
24.
HimleMBWoodsDWPiacentiniJC. (2006) Brief review of habit reversal training for Tourette syndrome. Journal of Child Neurology21(8): 719–725.
25.
HortonJRYatesAJ (1987) The effects of long-term high and low refined-sugar intake on blood glucose regulation, mood, bodily symptoms and cognitive functioning. Behaviour Research and Therapy25(1): 57–66.
26.
KompolitiKFanWLeurgansS (2009) Complementary and alternative medicine use in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. Movement Disorders24(13): 2015–2019.
27.
JankovicJ (1982) Treatment of hyperkinetic movement disorders with tetrabenazine: a double-blind crossover study. Annals of Neurology11(1): 41–47.
28.
JohnsonRJGoldMSJohnsonDR. (2011) Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: is it time to reappraise the role of sugar consumption?Postgraduate Medicine123(5): 39–49.
29.
JoshiKLadSKaleM. (2006) Supplementation with flax oil and vitamin C improves the outcome of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids74(1): 17–21.
30.
LairesMJMonteiroCPBichoM (2004) Role of cellular magnesium in health and human disease. Frontiers in Bioscience9(262): 76.
31.
LanziGZambrinoCATermineC. (2004) Prevalence of tic disorders among primary school students in the city of Pavia, Italy. Archives of Disease in Childhood89(1): 45–47.
32.
LatifAHeinzPCookR (2002) Iron deficiency in autism and Asperger syndrome. Autism6(1): 103–114.
33.
LiangHSunXMaA. (2015) Evaluation of dietary behavior and nutrient intake in patients with Tourette Syndrome. The FASEB Journal29(1): 911–916.
34.
MantelBJMeyersATranQY. (2004) Nutritional supplements and complementary/alternative medicine in Tourette syndrome. Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychopharmacology14(4): 582–589.
35.
MarcksBAWoodsDWTengEJ. (2004) What do those who know, know? Investigating providers’ knowledge about Tourette’s syndrome and its treatment. Cognitive and Behavioural Practice11(3): 298–305.
36.
MillwardCFerriterMCalverSJ. (2008) Gluten-and casein-free diets for autistic spectrum disorder. The Cochrane Library. CD003498.
37.
Mousain-BoscMRocheMPolgeA. (2006) Improvement of neurobehavioral disorders in children supplemented with magnesium-vitamin B6. Magnesium Research19(1): 53–62.
38.
Müller-VahlKRBuddensiekNGeomelasM. (2008) The influence of different food and drink on tics in Tourette syndrome. Acta Paediatrica97(4): 442–446.
39.
PlanellsELermaASanchez-MoritoN. (1997) Effect of magnesium deficiency on vitamin B2 and B6 status in the rat. Journal of the American College of Nutrition16(4): 352–356.
40.
PringsheimTHoJSarnaJR. (2017) Feasibility and relevance of antipsychotic safety monitoring in children with Tourette syndrome: a prospective longitudinal study. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology37(5): 498–504.
41.
PringsheimTPanagiotopoulosCDavidsonJ. (2011) Evidence-based recommendations for monitoring safety of second-generation antipsychotics in children and youth. Paediatrics & Child Health16(9): 581–589.
42.
PynnönenPAIsometsäETVerkasaloMA. (2005) Gluten-free diet may alleviate depressive and behavioural symptoms in adolescents with coeliac disease: a prospective follow-up case-series study. BMC Psychiatry5(1): 14.
43.
RobertsonMM (2008) The prevalence and epidemiology of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome: Part 1: The epidemiological and prevalence studies. Journal of Psychosomatic Research65(5): 461–472.
44.
RobertsonMMEapenVCavannaAE (2009) The international prevalence, epidemiology, and clinical phenomenology of Tourette syndrome: a cross-cultural perspective. Journal of Psychosomatic Research67(6): 475–483.
45.
RodrigoLHuertaMSalas-PuigJ (2015) Tourette syndrome and non-coeliac gluten sensitivity. Clinical remission with a gluten-free diet: a description case. Journal of Sleep Disorder Therapy4(183): 2167–0277.
46.
SeahillLErenbergGBerlinCM. (2006) Contemporary assessment and pharmacotherapy of Tourette syndrome. NeuroRx3(2): 192–206.
47.
SchaeferSMChowCALouisED. (2017) Tic exacerbation in adults with Tourette syndrome: a case series. Tremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements7: 1–7.
48.
SilvaRRMunozDMBarickmanJ. (1995) Environmental factors and related fluctuation of symptoms in children and adolescents with TS. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry36(2): 305–312.
49.
SingerHS (2005) Tourette’s syndrome: from behaviour to biology. The Lancet Neurology4(3): 149–159.
50.
WachsTD (2009) Models linking nutritional deficiencies to maternal and child mental health. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition89(3): 935S–939S.
