Psychogenic movement disorders: aetiology, phenomenology, neuroanatomical correlates and therapeutic approaches

Abstract

Paralysis and movement disorders unexplained by identifiable neurological disease are common clinical presentations in neurological outpatient clinics. Despite their frequency and potential importance from a neuroscientific viewpoint these disorders have received surprisingly little attention in clinically oriented neuroscientific research. In this review we summarize the available literature that specifically relates to the functional neuroanatomy of psychogenic movement disorders. We discuss the aetiology, clinical phenomenology, the current concepts of the dynamic neuroanatomical networks underlying psychogenic neurological syndromes as elucidated by neuroimaging and their potential implications for novel therapeutic approaches.