[Conversion disorder : functional neuroimaging and neurobiological mechanisms]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Neurology

Background:

• Conversion disorder is a psychiatric condition frequently seen in neurology.
• Historically misconstrued as feigning or imaginary, it presents without clear organic lesions.
• The exact causes of conversion disorder remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the neurobiological mechanisms of conversion disorder.
• To review neuroimaging studies investigating this condition.
• To generate hypotheses regarding the brain's role in conversion disorder.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing neuroimaging studies on conversion disorder.
• Analysis of cognitive and functional imaging data.
• Synthesis of findings to propose neurobiological hypotheses.

Main Results:

• Absence of organic lesions does not rule out cerebral dysfunction.
• Neuroimaging offers insights into the brain's involvement in conversion disorder.
• Several studies contribute to understanding potential neurobiological underpinnings.

Conclusions:

• Conversion disorder may stem from cerebral dysfunction, not organic lesions.
• Neuroimaging techniques are crucial for investigating its neurobiology.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of conversion disorder.