Case study: Long-term potentiation of neuroleptics with transdermal nicotine in Tourette's syndrome

Sixteen Tourette's syndrome patients, aged 9 to 15 years, whose symptoms were not controlled with neuroleptics, were followed for various lengths of time after the application of a transdermal nicotine patch (TNP) (7 mg/24 hours) as part of an ongoing case study. While there was a broad range in individual response, application of the TNP produced significant reductions (p <.001) in Yale Global Tic Severity Scale scores relative to baseline, with an average duration of effect lasting between 1 and 2 weeks. Side effects, for the most part, were transient. Clinical implications for the use of TNP as an adjunct to neuroleptic treatment of Tourette's syndrome are discussed.