Tourette's syndrome gene
1:46pm, Monday 17 October 2005
Science magazine reports that a gene has been identified which may cause Tourette's syndrome when it mutates. Through the magic of technology you can see the structure of the DNA with the click of a mouse. Apparently the mutation causes cells to grow shorter dendrites (nerve impluse receivers) which makes immediate sense for the nervous tics and twitches experienced by Tourette's sufferers. It's a bit of a leap to the involuntary shouting of obscenities which is the popular image of Tourette's, though.
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