COVID-19 Vaccination in Young People with Functional Neurological Disorder: A Case-Control Study.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Immunology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) can manifest as acute-onset symptoms, sometimes as a stress response to immunisation.
• This study investigated the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and FND in young individuals in Australia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the experience of young people with FND in relation to COVID-19 vaccination.
• To assess the incidence of new-onset FND, relapse, or exacerbation following vaccination in this cohort.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study design was employed.
• Data on COVID-19 vaccination choices and responses were collected during routine clinical care or FND research follow-up.
• Included 61 young people with FND and 46 healthy controls.

Main Results:

• Vaccination rates were high in both groups (95.1% in FND group, 97.8% in control group).
• In the FND group, 3.3% experienced new-onset FND post-vaccination, 5.56% reported relapse, and 10.0% reported exacerbation.
• No FND symptoms were reported in the healthy control group.

Conclusions:

• Acute-onset FND symptoms after COVID-19 vaccination are rare in the general population.
• In young individuals with a predisposition to FND, COVID-19 vaccination can occasionally trigger new-onset FND, relapse, or exacerbation.