Functional Neurological Disorders Among Patients With Tremor

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroscience
• Movement Disorders

Background:

• Functional neurological disorders (FNDs) are increasingly recognized.
• Patients with neurological disorders have a higher likelihood of coexisting FNDs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify clinical features of FNDs in patients with coexisting movement disorders.
• To differentiate between functional and other neurological tremors.

Main Methods:

• Reviewed clinical histories and video recordings of 150 patients with various tremor types.
• Applied criteria for possible and probable coexistent FND.

Main Results:

• 18% of patients had functional manifestations; 11% had comorbid functional tremor.
• Patients with functional manifestations were younger and had more severe upper limb postural tremor.
• Holmes tremor was associated with a higher likelihood of comorbid functional neurological manifestations.

Conclusions:

• 18% of tremor patients had comorbid functional neurological manifestations, with functional tremor being most common.
• Co-occurring FNDs and tremors presented at a younger age with greater arm tremor severity.