The borderland of Multiple sclerosis and Functional Neurological Disorder: a call for clinical research and vigilance, 2022, Aybek and Chan

Abstract

Background
Functional neurological disorders have attracted a lot of attention of the neurological medical community over the last decades as new development in neurosciences has reduced stigma around it by showing brain network dysfunctions. An overlap with other neurological condition such as Multiple sclerosis is well known by clinicians but there is a lack of clinical and fundamental research in this field to better define diagnosis and therapeutic decisions as well as deep understanding of underlying pathophysiolopgy.

Aim
We set out to write a critical commentary on the state of knowledge in the borderland between FND and MS

Methods
We based our commentary on a joint point of view between an FND specialist and MS expert.

Results
A brief review of previous literature and relevant new studies covering the overlap between FND and MS is presented along suggestions for future research directions

Conclusion
There are clear diagnostic criteria for both FND and MS and a strict application of them will help better diagnosis and prevent unnecessary treatment escalation in MS or absence of referaal to multimodal therapy in FND. Better teaching of younger neurologist is needed as well as prospective research focusing on pathophysiology.

Paywall, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ene.15568

 

"unnecessary treatment escalation in MS" - particularly chilling phrase