Effects of TPH2 gene variation and childhood trauma on the clinical and circuit-level phenotype of functional movement disorders, 2020, Hallett et al

Open access, https://jnnp.bmj.com/content/early/2020/06/23/jnnp-2019-322636

 

is it still functional if gene polymorphisms are implicated and there are changes in neurocircuitry!?

 

This is typical of the confusion surrounding FNDs. If it is a genetic disorder which makes the stress system inefficient then it is not a case of emotions being "converted" into physical problems. It is perfectly acceptable to find that there is damage to the brain so that the stress pathways are corrupted. Maybe CBT to reduce stress would be a helpful treatment but this means that FND is a physical disease caused by damage to the brain, not a new name for hysteria.

All their research is designed as confirmation studies with one mistake layered in another. There evidence for clinically defining patients is flawed so that it is just an opinion that says they are right. A couple of signs in neurological examination are taken as positive proof that th epatient has FND but they have never offered any biological (or psychological for that matter) pathways by which FND would lead to these repeatable problems with neurological pathways.

There have been no studies which have shown positive outcomes such as complete recovery to pre illness levels of health in anyone given CBT and they have not given any plausible accounts of why FND, which they consider a single disorder, should express itself in such wildy different ways in different patients.

It's rubbish but they present it in such a way that doctors who take it at face value will believe in it and that is a very frightening thought.

 

What if instead research funding was spent on smart useful research?

How about that? Instead of whatever this junk is? Because this is egregious misuse of institutional funds, fiscally irresponsible. Adult oversight is badly needed here.