Functional neurological disorder

Clinical Neurologist Matthew Phillips provides an update on Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) which is a disorder that arises from abnormal nervous system functioning where there is no identifiable organic disease.

Topics

Intro
Play now
A definition of functional neurological disorder
Play now
What sets FND apart from other neurological conditions?
Play now
Common symptoms and presentations
Play now
Understanding a patient's history
Play now
Co-existing organic disorder (Migraine, MS, Epilepsy, etc.)
Play now
Examination and testing
Play now
investigations with FND
Play now
Approach to diagnosis and treatment
Play now
5 Steps - Direct, explain, physio, address coexisting mood, reassure
Play now
Prognosis and long term outcomes
Play now
Take-home messages
Play now

Take home messages

As GPs you will see a good number of FNDs
A good history - try to exhaust the symptoms
Do a proper neurological examination
Expect complexity, but treat this like any other disorder
If correctly treated, outcomes can be spectacular

Resources

fndhope.org Uniting people diagnosed with FND
FND Guide Neurosymptoms.org

Presenter

Matthew Phillips

Clinical and Research Neurologist

Matthew is a full-time clinical and research neurologist at Waikato Hospital, Hamilton. His foremost passion is to explore the potential feasibility, safety, and efficacy of metabolic strategies, particularly fasting and ketogenic diets, in creating alternate metabolic states that may improve not only the symptoms, but also function and quality of life, for people with a variety of difficult disorders. In 2021, Matt and his dedicated team published the world’s first randomized trial of a ketogenic diet in Alzheimer’s Disease.