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Presented by: Ryan Van Patten, PhD, ABPP


About the Webinar: Functional neurological disorder (FND) is common disabling for children and adults across cultures and all over the world. FND refers to sensory, motor, and/or cognitive symptoms resulting from abnormal neural connectivity rather than focal neuroanatomical lesions. FND represents the second most frequent referral to neurology clinics and many people with FND have complex and heterogeneous symptoms that cause a great deal of distress and low quality of life. In spite of significant healthcare impacts, FND has been underappreciated in medicine and psychology for many years, leaving patients without adequate care. FND includes several closely related subtypes (e.g., seizures, motor manifestations, cognitive disorders) that share pathophysiological underpinnings but also have unique presentations.

Importantly for neuropsychologists, cognitive problems are one of the most common symptoms reported across FND subtypes, including in seizures and movement disorders (>80% of patients in large survey studies). As in other neuropsychiatric conditions, cognitive deficits greatly reduce functional independence and quality of life in people with FND. There is a growing recognition of the key role of neuropsychologists in the care of patients with FND, particularly through research, biopsychosocial assessment, cognitive testing, treatment planning, and cognitive rehabilitation. There is a critical need for neuropsychologists to be well versed in FND so that they can actively participate in clinical science and patient care.