Updates in Functional Movement Disorders: from Pathophysiology to Treatment Advances

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Functional movement disorders (FMD) have garnered renewed research interest over the past decade.
• Studies increasingly explore the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying FMD.
• A biopsychosocial model is broadening the understanding of FMD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in functional movement disorders (FMD) over the past three years.
• To focus on key areas including risk factors, diagnosis, pathophysiology, neuroimaging, and treatment.
• To highlight progress in standardization of diagnosis and outcome reporting.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent scientific literature on functional movement disorders.
• Analysis of neuroimaging studies investigating brain circuit alterations.
• Examination of current and emerging treatment modalities.

Main Results:

• Recent studies show changes in attention, emotional, and sensorimotor functions in FMD.
• Neuroimaging reveals functional and structural changes in motor and emotional brain circuits.
• Treatment modalities show success across outpatient, inpatient, and virtual settings.

Conclusions:

• Functional movement disorders are increasingly understood as a neurocircuit disorder.
• International collaborations are defining biomarkers and outcome measures for standardized clinical trials.
• Telemedicine has expanded access to FMD therapies, including virtual and self-guided programs.