Structural alterations in functional neurological disorder and related conditions: a software and hardware problem?

Bibliographic Details
Title: Structural alterations in functional neurological disorder and related conditions: a software and hardware problem?
Authors: Indrit Bègue, Caitlin Adams, Jon Stone, David L. Perez
Source: NeuroImage: Clinical, Vol 22, Iss , Pp - (2019)
Publisher Information: Elsevier, 2019.
Publication Year: 2019
Collection: LCC:Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics
LCC:Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system
Subject Terms: Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics, R858-859.7, Neurology. Diseases of the nervous system, RC346-429
Description: Functional neurological (conversion) disorder (FND) is a condition at the interface of neurology and psychiatry. A “software” vs. “hardware” analogy describes abnormal neurobiological mechanisms occurring in the context of intact macroscopic brain structure. While useful for explanatory and treatment models, this framework may require more nuanced considerations in the context of quantitative structural neuroimaging findings in FND. Moreover, high co-occurrence of FND and somatic symptom disorders (SSD) as defined in DSM-IV (somatization disorder, somatoform pain disorder, and undifferentiated somatoform disorder; referred to as SSD for brevity in this article) raises the possibility of a partially overlapping pathophysiology. In this systematic review, we use a transdiagnostic approach to review and appraise the structural neuroimaging literature in FND and SSD. While larger sample size studies are needed for definitive characterization, this article highlights that individuals with FND and SSD may exhibit sensorimotor, prefrontal, striatal-thalamic, paralimbic, and limbic structural alterations. The structural neuroimaging literature is contextualized within the neurobiology of stress-related neuroplasticity, gender differences, psychiatric comorbidities, and the greater spectrum of functional somatic disorders. Future directions that could accelerate the characterization of the pathophysiology of FND and DSM-5 SSD are outlined, including “disease staging” discussions to contextualize subgroups with or without structural changes. Emerging neuroimaging evidence suggests that some individuals with FND and SSD may have a “software” and “hardware” problem, although if structural alterations are present the neural mechanisms of functional disorders remain distinct from lesional neurological conditions. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether structural alterations relate to predisposing vulnerabilities or consequences of the disorder. Keywords: Conversion disorder, Psychogenic, Neuroimaging, MRI, Functional neurological disorder, Somatic symptom disorder
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2213-1582
Relation: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213158219301482; https://doaj.org/toc/2213-1582
DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.101798
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/486fd0976a1f48b49456d6fd5d05f56b
Accession Number: edsdoj.486fd0976a1f48b49456d6fd5d05f56b
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
Description
ISSN:22131582
DOI:10.1016/j.nicl.2019.101798