Uncovering the etiology of conversion disorder: insights from functional neuroimaging
Maryam Ejareh dar, Richard AA Kanaan Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia Abstract: Conversion disorder (CD) is a syndrome of neurological symptoms arising without organic cause, arguably in response to emotional stress, but the exact neural su...
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Dove Medical Press
2016-01-01
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| author | Ejareh dar M Kanaan R |
| author_facet | Ejareh dar M Kanaan R |
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| description | Maryam Ejareh dar, Richard AA Kanaan Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia Abstract: Conversion disorder (CD) is a syndrome of neurological symptoms arising without organic cause, arguably in response to emotional stress, but the exact neural substrates of these symptoms and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood with the hunt for a biological basis afoot for centuries. In the past 15 years, novel insights have been gained with the advent of functional neuroimaging studies in patients suffering from CDs in both motor and nonmotor domains. This review summarizes recent functional neuroimaging studies including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET) to see whether they bring us closer to understanding the etiology of CD. Convergent functional neuroimaging findings suggest alterations in brain circuits that could point to different mechanisms for manifesting functional neurological symptoms, in contrast with feigning or healthy controls. Abnormalities in emotion processing and in emotion-motor processing suggest a diathesis, while differential reactions to certain stressors implicate a specific response to trauma. No comprehensive theory emerges from these clues, and all results remain preliminary, but functional neuroimaging has at least given grounds for hope that a model for CD may soon be found. Keywords: conversion disorder, neuroimaging, functional neurology, hysteria, mechanismsA Letter to the Editor has been recieved and published for this article. Corrigendum for this paper has been published  |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-36f44d4d28144b4bbf2b493524c9099b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1178-2021 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2016-01-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
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| series | Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment |
| spelling | doaj-art-36f44d4d28144b4bbf2b493524c9099b2025-08-20T03:30:03ZengDove Medical PressNeuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment1178-20212016-01-01Volume 12Issue 114315325221Uncovering the etiology of conversion disorder: insights from functional neuroimagingEjareh dar M0Kanaan R1Department of of PsychiatryDepartment of PsychiatryMaryam Ejareh dar, Richard AA Kanaan Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia Abstract: Conversion disorder (CD) is a syndrome of neurological symptoms arising without organic cause, arguably in response to emotional stress, but the exact neural substrates of these symptoms and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood with the hunt for a biological basis afoot for centuries. In the past 15 years, novel insights have been gained with the advent of functional neuroimaging studies in patients suffering from CDs in both motor and nonmotor domains. This review summarizes recent functional neuroimaging studies including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET) to see whether they bring us closer to understanding the etiology of CD. Convergent functional neuroimaging findings suggest alterations in brain circuits that could point to different mechanisms for manifesting functional neurological symptoms, in contrast with feigning or healthy controls. Abnormalities in emotion processing and in emotion-motor processing suggest a diathesis, while differential reactions to certain stressors implicate a specific response to trauma. No comprehensive theory emerges from these clues, and all results remain preliminary, but functional neuroimaging has at least given grounds for hope that a model for CD may soon be found. Keywords: conversion disorder, neuroimaging, functional neurology, hysteria, mechanismsA Letter to the Editor has been recieved and published for this article. Corrigendum for this paper has been published https://www.dovepress.com/uncovering-the-etiology-of-conversion-disorder-insights-from-functiona-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-NDTConversion DisorderNeuroimagingFunctional neurology |
| spellingShingle | Ejareh dar M Kanaan R Uncovering the etiology of conversion disorder: insights from functional neuroimaging Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment Conversion Disorder Neuroimaging Functional neurology |
| title | Uncovering the etiology of conversion disorder: insights from functional neuroimaging |
| title_full | Uncovering the etiology of conversion disorder: insights from functional neuroimaging |
| title_fullStr | Uncovering the etiology of conversion disorder: insights from functional neuroimaging |
| title_full_unstemmed | Uncovering the etiology of conversion disorder: insights from functional neuroimaging |
| title_short | Uncovering the etiology of conversion disorder: insights from functional neuroimaging |
| title_sort | uncovering the etiology of conversion disorder insights from functional neuroimaging |
| topic | Conversion Disorder Neuroimaging Functional neurology |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/uncovering-the-etiology-of-conversion-disorder-insights-from-functiona-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-NDT |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ejarehdarm uncoveringtheetiologyofconversiondisorderinsightsfromfunctionalneuroimaging AT kanaanr uncoveringtheetiologyofconversiondisorderinsightsfromfunctionalneuroimaging |