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Bazydlo S, Eccles FJR. Living with functional movement disorders: a tale of three battles. An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Psychol Health 2024; 39:1130-1147. [PMID: 36222457 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2022.2130312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Functional movement disorders (FMD) have poor prognosis and high physical and psychological co-morbidity. Their pathogenesis remains unclear, clinicians often find them difficult to treat, and lack of agreement between healthcare providers and patients is common. This study aimed to explore the experiences of living with FMD to improve understanding of its impact and patients' needs. METHODS Ten participants across the UK were recruited online through a charity's social media platforms. Semi structured interviews were conducted via video calls and were audio recorded and verbatim transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. RESULTS Three superordinate themes were generated from the data, representing the three battles fought by the participants: (1) intrapersonal: the tug of war with the secret agent within- the power struggle with symptoms; (2) interpersonal: navigating stigma and self-preservation; (3) systemic: pursuing hope and treatments against helplessness and passivity. CONCLUSIONS Loss of control, feelings of powerlessness and oppression by symptoms is often mirrored in participants' experiences of seeking healthcare and navigating societal stigma. Active efforts to regain influence, improve quality of life and maintain hope can be jeopardised by others' dismissive attitudes and lack of knowledge. Antonovsky's model of salutogenesis is proposed as a useful framework for facilitating empowerment in FMD service provision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Bazydlo
- Division of Health Research, Health Innovation One, Sir John Fisher Drive, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Fiona J R Eccles
- Division of Health Research, Health Innovation One, Sir John Fisher Drive, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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Mavroudis I, Kazis D, Kamal FZ, Gurzu IL, Ciobica A, Pădurariu M, Novac B, Iordache A. Understanding Functional Neurological Disorder: Recent Insights and Diagnostic Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4470. [PMID: 38674056 PMCID: PMC11050230 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Functional neurological disorder (FND), formerly called conversion disorder, is a condition characterized by neurological symptoms that lack an identifiable organic purpose. These signs, which can consist of motor, sensory, or cognitive disturbances, are not deliberately produced and often vary in severity. Its diagnosis is predicated on clinical evaluation and the exclusion of other medical or psychiatric situations. Its treatment typically involves a multidisciplinary technique addressing each of the neurological symptoms and underlying psychological factors via a mixture of medical management, psychotherapy, and supportive interventions. Recent advances in neuroimaging and a deeper exploration of its epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation have shed new light on this disorder. This paper synthesizes the current knowledge on FND, focusing on its epidemiology and underlying mechanisms, neuroimaging insights, and the differentiation of FND from feigning or malingering. This review highlights the phenotypic heterogeneity of FND and the diagnostic challenges it presents. It also discusses the significant role of neuroimaging in unraveling the complex neural underpinnings of FND and its potential in predicting treatment response. This paper underscores the importance of a nuanced understanding of FND in informing clinical practice and guiding future research. With advancements in neuroimaging techniques and growing recognition of the disorder's multifaceted nature, the paper suggests a promising trajectory toward more effective, personalized treatment strategies and a better overall understanding of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Mavroudis
- Department of Neuroscience, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, NHS Trust, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK;
- Faculty of Medicine, Leeds University, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Dimitrios Kazis
- Third Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Fatima Zahra Kamal
- Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Technical (ISPITS), Marrakech 40000, Morocco
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Processes and Materials, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Hassan First University, Settat 26000, Morocco
| | - Irina-Luciana Gurzu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania (A.I.)
| | - Alin Ciobica
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Carol I Avenue 20th A, 700505 Iasi, Romania
- Center of Biomedical Research, Romanian Academy, Iasi Branch, Teodor Codrescu 2, 700481 Iasi, Romania
- Academy of Romanian Scientists, 3 Ilfov, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
- Preclinical Department, Apollonia University, Păcurari Street 11, 700511 Iasi, Romania
| | - Manuela Pădurariu
- “Socola” Institute of Psychiatry, Șoseaua Bucium 36, 700282 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Bogdan Novac
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania (A.I.)
| | - Alin Iordache
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania (A.I.)
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Charney M, Foster S, Shukla V, Zhao W, Jiang SH, Kozlowska K, Lin A. Neurometabolic alterations in children and adolescents with functional neurological disorder. Neuroimage Clin 2023; 41:103557. [PMID: 38219534 PMCID: PMC10825645 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2023.103557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to investigate neurometabolic homeostasis in children with functional neurological disorder (FND) in three regions of interest: supplementary motor area (SMA), anterior default mode network (aDMN), and posterior default mode network (dDMN). Metabolites assessed included N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), a marker of neuron function; myo-inositol (mI), a glial-cell marker; choline (Cho), a membrane marker; glutamate plus glutamine (Glx), a marker of excitatory neurotransmission; γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a marker of inhibitor neurotransmission; and creatine (Cr), an energy marker. The relationship between excitatory (glutamate and glutamine) and inhibitory (GABA) neurotransmitter (E/I) balance was also examined. METHODS MRS data were acquired for 32 children with mixed FND (25 girls, 7 boys, aged 10.00 to 16.08 years) and 41 healthy controls of similar age using both short echo point-resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) and Mescher-Garwood point-resolved spectroscopy (MEGAPRESS) sequences in the three regions of interest. RESULTS In the SMA, children with FND had lower NAA/Cr, mI/Cr (trend level), and GABA/Cr ratios. In the aDMN, no group differences in metabolite ratios were found. In the pDMN, children with FND had lower NAA/Cr and mI/Cr (trend level) ratios. While no group differences in E/I balance were found (FND vs. controls), E/I balance in the aDMN was lower in children with functional seizures-a subgroup within the FND group. Pearson correlations found that increased arousal (indexed by higher heart rate) was associated with lower mI/Cr in the SMA and pDMN. CONCLUSIONS Our findings of multiple differences in neurometabolites in children with FND suggest dysfunction on multiple levels of the biological system: the neuron (lower NAA), the glial cell (lower mI), and inhibitory neurotransmission (lower GABA), as well as dysfunction in energy regulation in the subgroup with functional seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Charney
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian, New York, NY, USA; Center for Clinical Spectroscopy, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sheryl Foster
- Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Department of Radiology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Vishwa Shukla
- Center for Clinical Spectroscopy, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Wufan Zhao
- Center for Clinical Spectroscopy, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sam H Jiang
- Center for Clinical Spectroscopy, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kasia Kozlowska
- Department of Psychological Medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute of Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
| | - Alexander Lin
- Center for Clinical Spectroscopy, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Lim N, Wood N, Prasad A, Waters K, Singh-Grewal D, Dale RC, Elkadi J, Scher S, Kozlowska K. COVID-19 Vaccination in Young People with Functional Neurological Disorder: A Case-Control Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:2031. [PMID: 36560442 PMCID: PMC9782633 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The emergence of acute-onset functional neurological symptoms, the focus of this study, is one of three stress responses related to immunisation. This case-control study documents the experience of 61 young people with past or current functional neurological disorder (FND) in relation to the COVID-19 vaccination program in Australia. METHODS Information about the young person's/parent's choice and response pertaining to COVID-19 vaccination was collected as part of routine clinical care or FND research program follow-up. RESULTS 61 young people treated for FND (47 females, mean age = 16.22 years) and 46 healthy controls (34 females, mean age = 16.37 years) were included in the study. Vaccination rates were high: 58/61 (95.1%) in the FND group and 45/46 (97.8%) in the control group. In the FND group, 2 young people (2/61, 3.3%) presented with new-onset FND following COVID-19 vaccination; two young people with resolved FND reported an FND relapse (2/36, 5.56%); and two young people with unresolved FND (2/20, 10.0%) reported an FND exacerbation. In the control group no FND symptoms were reported. CONCLUSIONS Acute-onset FND symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination are uncommon in the general population. In young people prone to FND, COVID-19 vaccination can sometimes trigger new-onset FND, FND relapse, or FND exacerbation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Lim
- Department of Psychological Medicine, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Nicholas Wood
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Kids Research, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Archana Prasad
- Department of General Medicine, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Karen Waters
- Sleep Medicine, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead Clinical School, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Davinder Singh-Grewal
- Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- Department of Rheumatology, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- School of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Russell C. Dale
- Kids Neuroscience Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- The Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Joseph Elkadi
- Department of Psychological Medicine, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Stephen Scher
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Speciality of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Kasia Kozlowska
- Department of Psychological Medicine, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- Brain Dynamics Centre at Westmead Institute of Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
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Kozlowska K, Chung J, Cruickshank B, McLean L, Scher S, Dale RC, Mohammad SS, Singh-Grewal D, Prabhuswamy MY, Patrick E. Blood CRP levels are elevated in children and adolescents with functional neurological symptom disorder. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2019; 28:491-504. [PMID: 30143887 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-018-1212-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence that patients with functional neurological symptom disorder (FND) show activation of multiple components of the stress system-the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, autonomic nervous system, and brain regions involved in arousal- and emotion-processing. This study aims to examine whether the immune-inflammatory component of the stress system is also activated. C-reactive protein (CRP) blood titre levels were measured in 79 children and adolescents with FND. CRP values ≥ 2 mg/L suggest low-grade inflammation. CRP values > 10 mg/L suggest a disease process. Sixty-six percent of subjects (n = 52) had CRP titres ≥ 2 mg/L. The upward shift in the distribution of CRP levels suggested low-grade inflammation (median CRP concentration was 4.60 mg/L, with 75th and 90th percentiles of 6.1 and 10.3 mg/L, respectively). Elevated CRP titres were not explained by sex, pubertal status, BMI, or medical factors. Confounder analyses suggested that history of maltreatment (χ2 = 2.802, df = 1, p = 0.094, φ = 0.190; β = 2.823, p = 0.04) and a diagnosis of anxiety (χ2 = 2.731, df = 1, p = 0.098, φ = 0.187; β = 4.520, p = 0.061) contributed to elevated CRP levels. Future research will need to identify the origins and locations of immune cell activation and the pathways and systems contributing to their activation and modulation. Because functional activity in neurons and glial cells-the brain's innate effector immune cells-is tightly coupled, our finding of elevated CRP titres suggests activation of the immune-inflammatory component of the brain's stress system. A more direct examination of inflammation-related molecules in the brain will help clarify the role of immune-inflammatory processes in FND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasia Kozlowska
- Department Psychological Medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia. .,Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute of Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia. .,Discipline of Psychiatry and Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Sydney Medical School, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Jason Chung
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.,Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Sydney Medical School, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bronya Cruickshank
- Department Psychological Medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Loyola McLean
- Westmead Psychotherapy Program for Complex Traumatic Disorders, Western Sydney Local Health District, Building 112, Cumberland Hospital Campus, Parramatta BC, Locked Bag 7118, Parramatta, NSW, 2124, Australia.,Brain and Mind Centre, and Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Sydney Medical School, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen Scher
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.,Discipline of Psychiatry, University of Sydney Medical School, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Russell C Dale
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Sydney Medical School, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Movement Disorder and Clinical Neuroimmunology Group, Institute for Neuroscience and Muscle Research, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Shekeeb S Mohammad
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Sydney Medical School, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Davinder Singh-Grewal
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, University of Sydney Medical School, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Rheumatology, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.,Discipline of Child and Maternal Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mukesh Yajaman Prabhuswamy
- Department Psychological Medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
| | - Ellis Patrick
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sydney, F07 - Carslaw Building, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.,Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Kozlowska K, Spooner CJ, Palmer DM, Harris A, Korgaonkar MS, Scher S, Williams LM. "Motoring in idle": The default mode and somatomotor networks are overactive in children and adolescents with functional neurological symptoms. Neuroimage Clin 2018; 18:730-743. [PMID: 29876262 PMCID: PMC5987846 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Objective Children and adolescents with functional neurological symptom disorder (FND) present with diverse neurological symptoms not explained by a disease process. Functional neurological symptoms have been conceptualized as somatoform dissociation, a disruption of the brain's intrinsic organization and reversion to a more primitive level of function. We used EEG to investigate neural function and functional brain organization in children/adolescents with FND. Method EEG was recorded in the resting eyes-open condition in 57 patients (aged 8.5-18 years) and 57 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Using a topographical map, EEG power data were quantified for regions of interest that define the default mode network (DMN), salience network, and somatomotor network. Source localization was examined using low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA). The contributions of chronic pain and arousal as moderators of differences in EEG power were also examined. Results Children/adolescents with FND had excessive theta and delta power in electrode clusters corresponding to the DMN-both anteriorly (dorsomedial prefrontal cortex [dmFPC]) and posteriorly (posterior cingulate cortex [PCC], precuneus, and lateral parietal cortex)-and in the premotor/supplementary motor area (SMA) region. There was a trend toward increased theta and delta power in the salience network. LORETA showed activation across all three networks in all power bands and localized neural sources to the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex/dmPFC, mid cingulate cortex, PCC/precuneus, and SMA. Pain and arousal contributed to slow wave power increases in all three networks. Conclusions These findings suggest that children and adolescents with FND are characterized by overactivation of intrinsic resting brain networks involved in threat detection, energy regulation, and preparation for action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasia Kozlowska
- The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Psychological Medicine, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; The Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, 176 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | | | - Donna M Palmer
- The Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, 176 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Anthony Harris
- The Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, 176 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Westmead Hospital Psychiatry Department, Darcy Rd, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
| | - Mayuresh S Korgaonkar
- The Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, 176 Hawkesbury Rd, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Stephen Scher
- The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.
| | - Leanne M Williams
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, VA Palo Alto (Sierra-Pacific MIRECC) 401 Quarry Rd, United States.
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