What is TAND?

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is associated with a wide range of cognitive, behavioral and psychiatric manifestations. These manifestations are often of greater concern to individuals with TSC and their families and caregivers than other symptoms of TSC such as epilepsy, skin lesions or kidney problems. TAND (TSC Associated Neuropsychiatric Disorders) is a new terminology to describe the interrelated functional and clinical manifestations of brain dysfunction in TSC, including aggressive behaviors, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, psychiatric disorders, neuropsychological deficits, as well as school and occupational difficulties.

Care should be taken to perform appropriate assessments at regular intervals as detailed in the Consensus clinical guidelines for assessment of TAND in individuals with TSC. Appropriate screening will identify these cognitive and behavioral problems and lead to implementation of relevant intervention strategies to facilitate the development of appropriate skills, to prevent the emergence of further problems, and to manage existing disorders, syndromes or psychological issues.

The TAND Checklist

The TAND_checklist 2014 was developed to help clinical teams, individuals with TSC and their families screen for TAND at every clinic visit and prioritize what to do next.