Functional Neurological Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Complex and Potentially Significant Relationship

Belen Gonzalez-Herrero; Francesca Happé; Timothy R. Nicholson; Francesca Morgante; Javier Pagonabarraga; Quinton Deeley; Mark J. Edwards

doi:10.1002/brb3.70168

Functional Neurological Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Complex and Potentially Significant Relationship

Belen Gonzalez-Herrero^*, Francesca Happé, Timothy R. Nicholson, Francesca Morgante, Javier Pagonabarraga, Quinton Deeley, Mark J. Edwards

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction: Functional neurological disorder (FND) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are two complex neuropsychiatric conditions that have been historically classified within psychiatric domains, resulting in a lack of extensive research, insufficient clinical recognition, and persistent societal stigma. In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition among professionals and affected individuals of their possible overlap. This review explores the potential clinical and mechanistic overlap between FND and ASD, with particular attention to shared symptoms across sensory, motor, and psychiatric domains. Methods: We conducted a narrative analysis utilizing the PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and ScienceDirect databases from inception to June 2024. The search employed specific MeSH terms related to ASD and FND. Given the limited data availability, we included all relevant articles that explored the potential connections between FND and ASD, focusing on established findings and theoretical hypotheses areas. Results: Scientific evidence indicates that FND and ASD may co-occur more frequently than previously acknowledged and with notable overlaps in their clinical presentations and pathophysiology. Theoretical models that have been applied to FND and ASD, such as the Bayesian brain theory and the tripartite model of autism, may provide valuable insights into the intersection of these conditions. Although much of the current evidence remains speculative, it underscores the need for hypothesis-driven research to investigate these potential connections further. Conclusion: ASD and FND are heterogeneous conditions that appear to co-occur in a subset of individuals, with overlapping symptomatology and possibly shared underlying mechanisms. This hypothesis-generating review emphasizes the need for further research to better understand these links, ultimately aiming to improve clinical recognition and develop targeted interventions that enhance the quality of life for affected individuals.

Original language	English
Article number	e70168
Journal	Brain and Behavior
Volume	14
Issue number	12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.70168
Publication status	Published - Dec 2024

Keywords

autism spectrum disorder
Bayesian brain
clinical overlap
functional neurological disorder
interoception
review

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10.1002/brb3.70168

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title = "Functional Neurological Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Complex and Potentially Significant Relationship",

abstract = "Introduction: Functional neurological disorder (FND) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are two complex neuropsychiatric conditions that have been historically classified within psychiatric domains, resulting in a lack of extensive research, insufficient clinical recognition, and persistent societal stigma. In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition among professionals and affected individuals of their possible overlap. This review explores the potential clinical and mechanistic overlap between FND and ASD, with particular attention to shared symptoms across sensory, motor, and psychiatric domains. Methods: We conducted a narrative analysis utilizing the PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and ScienceDirect databases from inception to June 2024. The search employed specific MeSH terms related to ASD and FND. Given the limited data availability, we included all relevant articles that explored the potential connections between FND and ASD, focusing on established findings and theoretical hypotheses areas. Results: Scientific evidence indicates that FND and ASD may co-occur more frequently than previously acknowledged and with notable overlaps in their clinical presentations and pathophysiology. Theoretical models that have been applied to FND and ASD, such as the Bayesian brain theory and the tripartite model of autism, may provide valuable insights into the intersection of these conditions. Although much of the current evidence remains speculative, it underscores the need for hypothesis-driven research to investigate these potential connections further. Conclusion: ASD and FND are heterogeneous conditions that appear to co-occur in a subset of individuals, with overlapping symptomatology and possibly shared underlying mechanisms. This hypothesis-generating review emphasizes the need for further research to better understand these links, ultimately aiming to improve clinical recognition and develop targeted interventions that enhance the quality of life for affected individuals.",

keywords = "autism spectrum disorder, Bayesian brain, clinical overlap, functional neurological disorder, interoception, review",

author = "Belen Gonzalez-Herrero and Francesca Happ{\'e} and Nicholson, {Timothy R.} and Francesca Morgante and Javier Pagonabarraga and Quinton Deeley and Edwards, {Mark J.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2024 The Author(s). Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.",

year = "2024",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1002/brb3.70168",

language = "English",

volume = "14",

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T1 - Functional Neurological Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder

T2 - A Complex and Potentially Significant Relationship

AU - Gonzalez-Herrero, Belen

AU - Happé, Francesca

AU - Nicholson, Timothy R.

AU - Morgante, Francesca

AU - Pagonabarraga, Javier

AU - Deeley, Quinton

AU - Edwards, Mark J.

PY - 2024/12

Y1 - 2024/12

N2 - Introduction: Functional neurological disorder (FND) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are two complex neuropsychiatric conditions that have been historically classified within psychiatric domains, resulting in a lack of extensive research, insufficient clinical recognition, and persistent societal stigma. In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition among professionals and affected individuals of their possible overlap. This review explores the potential clinical and mechanistic overlap between FND and ASD, with particular attention to shared symptoms across sensory, motor, and psychiatric domains. Methods: We conducted a narrative analysis utilizing the PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and ScienceDirect databases from inception to June 2024. The search employed specific MeSH terms related to ASD and FND. Given the limited data availability, we included all relevant articles that explored the potential connections between FND and ASD, focusing on established findings and theoretical hypotheses areas. Results: Scientific evidence indicates that FND and ASD may co-occur more frequently than previously acknowledged and with notable overlaps in their clinical presentations and pathophysiology. Theoretical models that have been applied to FND and ASD, such as the Bayesian brain theory and the tripartite model of autism, may provide valuable insights into the intersection of these conditions. Although much of the current evidence remains speculative, it underscores the need for hypothesis-driven research to investigate these potential connections further. Conclusion: ASD and FND are heterogeneous conditions that appear to co-occur in a subset of individuals, with overlapping symptomatology and possibly shared underlying mechanisms. This hypothesis-generating review emphasizes the need for further research to better understand these links, ultimately aiming to improve clinical recognition and develop targeted interventions that enhance the quality of life for affected individuals.

AB - Introduction: Functional neurological disorder (FND) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are two complex neuropsychiatric conditions that have been historically classified within psychiatric domains, resulting in a lack of extensive research, insufficient clinical recognition, and persistent societal stigma. In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition among professionals and affected individuals of their possible overlap. This review explores the potential clinical and mechanistic overlap between FND and ASD, with particular attention to shared symptoms across sensory, motor, and psychiatric domains. Methods: We conducted a narrative analysis utilizing the PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and ScienceDirect databases from inception to June 2024. The search employed specific MeSH terms related to ASD and FND. Given the limited data availability, we included all relevant articles that explored the potential connections between FND and ASD, focusing on established findings and theoretical hypotheses areas. Results: Scientific evidence indicates that FND and ASD may co-occur more frequently than previously acknowledged and with notable overlaps in their clinical presentations and pathophysiology. Theoretical models that have been applied to FND and ASD, such as the Bayesian brain theory and the tripartite model of autism, may provide valuable insights into the intersection of these conditions. Although much of the current evidence remains speculative, it underscores the need for hypothesis-driven research to investigate these potential connections further. Conclusion: ASD and FND are heterogeneous conditions that appear to co-occur in a subset of individuals, with overlapping symptomatology and possibly shared underlying mechanisms. This hypothesis-generating review emphasizes the need for further research to better understand these links, ultimately aiming to improve clinical recognition and develop targeted interventions that enhance the quality of life for affected individuals.

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KW - functional neurological disorder

KW - interoception

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SN - 2162-3279

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JO - Brain and Behavior

JF - Brain and Behavior

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ER -

Functional Neurological Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Complex and Potentially Significant Relationship

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