![Headshot photo of Dr. Alberto Espay](https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2023/04/n21165778/jcr:content/image.img.cq5dam.thumbnail.500.500.jpg/1681916942236.jpg)
MedPage Today: Functional neurological disorder may still carry stigma
Functional neurological disorder (FND), disorders caused by an brain signaling abnormality with no significant structural brain damage, can lead to a variety of symptoms including sensory changes, weakness, involuntary movements, gait disturbances and speech problems.
FND primarily affects women, and researchers recently published a review arguing the disorder is often misunderstood and needs better recognition and parity in medical education, research and clinical service.
The University of Cincinnati's Alberto Espay, MD, was not involved in the review and provided comments to MedPage Today.
"The stigma attached to FND also comes from an era when FND was confused with malingering -- that is, the idea that patients were 'faking' their symptoms," said Espay, director and endowed chair of the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders at the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and a UC Health physician.
"While this was entirely inaccurate, the effects have persisted." Espay continued. "As the authors point out, the evidence shows that FND is not compatible with feigning."
Espay said doctors need to be aware of the lingering prejudice surrounding the disorder and focus on making diagnoses entirely dependent on neurological exams, independent from psychological stressors.
"If it were not for the strong association of FND with sexual abuse, which disproportionally afflicts women, the prevalence of FND may be similar in men and women, quite different from what we have been led to believe," he added.
Read the MedPage Today article.
Featured photo at top of Dr. Espay. Photo/University of Cincinnati.
Related Stories
Bono, Chris Tucker Visit UC To Discuss Africa
December 5, 2002
U2's Bono and comedian-actor Chris Tucker led a delegation from the DATA organization who came to UC to talk about potentially catastrophic problems in Africa.
New Year's Help for Those Looking to Kick the Habit
December 20, 2002
Quitting smoking consistently ranks among the top three resolutions made by New Year's resolvers each year.
E-BRIEF: Let's Toast to a Healthier 2003
January 8, 2003
The New Year often means a new health kick: Vows to tone up and trim down, and maybe going to the doctor and getting ourselves as regularly "maintenanced" as we do our cars. So, this week's University of Cincinnati e-briefing examines the health concerns of the young and old, and what you should be doing to preserve your good health.
Today's ML King Events: One On, One Off
January 8, 2003
A memorial march, presentations, poetry and dance will pay tribute to the slain civil rights leader.
UC Named Lead Organization for OSHA Training Consortium
January 13, 2003
UC Continuing Medical Education (CME) has been selected as the lead organization for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Great Lakes Training Consortium by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Ignorance of Stroke s Warning Signs a Barrier to Treatment; More Education Needed, UC Researchers Report in JAMA
January 13, 2003
Demographic groups facing the greatest risk of death and disability from stroke are the least likely to recognize stroke s warning signs and risk factors, according to a study by UC researchers published in the January 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Ignorance of Stroke s Warning Signs a Barrier to Treatment; More Education Needed, UC Researchers Report in JAMA
January 14, 2003
Demographic groups facing the greatest risk of death and disability from stroke are the least likely to recognize stroke s warning signs and risk factors, according to a study by UC researchers published in the January 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
UC Researchers Find New Link Between the Eye and the Clock in the Brain
January 20, 2003
Results of a study done by a team of researchers working in the laboratories of Michael Lehman, PhD, professor, Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy at the UC College of Medicine, will appear in the February issue of Nature Neuroscience.
UC Researchers Find New Link Between the Eye and the Clock in the Brain
January 21, 2003
Results of a study done by a team of researchers working in the laboratories of Michael Lehman, PhD, professor, Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy at the UC College of Medicine, will appear in the February issue of Nature Neuroscience.
Leader of Fetal Surgery to Deliver Lectures at UC
January 31, 2003
An internationally recognized authority on fetal surgery will lecture at the UC Medical Center, representing the first of a series of lectures on fetal surgery presented by the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn).