Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is a nervous system disorder which causes a person to make repeated and involutary movements and sounds (vocalizations) called tics. The disorder is commonly called Tourette syndrome.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
Jeff Matovic
Breakthrough treatment for Tourette Syndrome
"I had to drink with a sippy cup; otherwise, I would spill liquid all over and even break glass or plastic cups with the severity of the muscle spasms that were so forceful and unpredictable," says Jeff, now age 31.
"To grow up being made fun of, always feeling different, and then, as an adult, unable to hold a job and support a family, I was feeling devastated by my Tourette's. I had heard about deep brain stimulation for other movement disorders. I knew that brain surgery was risky, and the doctors could not guarantee any positive outcome, but I wanted them to take a chance on me. And I'm so grateful that they did."