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Review
. 2025 Feb;15(1):e200367.
doi: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200367. Epub 2024 Oct 8.

Functional Movement Disorders and Deep Brain Stimulation: A Review

Alexandra Boogers  1 , Alfonso Fasano  1
Affiliations
Review

Functional Movement Disorders and Deep Brain Stimulation: A Review

Alexandra Boogers et al. Neurol Clin Pract. 2025 Feb.

Abstract

Purpose of the review: The aim of this narrative review was to explore the interplay between functional movement disorders (FMDs) and deep brain stimulation (DBS).

Recent findings: Patients with unrecognized FMD who are referred for DBS usually present with functional dystonia. By contrast, patients who present with FMD after DBS are mostly presenting with functional tremor, in keeping with non-DBS FMD cohorts. Comorbid presentation of FMD in established DBS indications makes the decision to opt for surgery challenging. Many contributing factors can play a role in the development of FMD, including the trauma caused by awake neurosurgery and/or extensive DBS programming.

Summary: FMDs in the context of DBS are often overlooked and should be diagnosed promptly because they determine surgical outcome. The approach to DBS candidates with comorbid FMD and the risk factors of FMD after DBS should be further explored.

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Conflict of interest statement

A. Boogers reports receiving honoraria from American Academy of Neurology and Abbvie, consultancy fees from Abbvie, Abbott and Boston Scientific, and research grant from Fernand Lazard Foundation. None of these are relevant to the manuscript. A. Fasano reports the following: consultancies from Abbvie, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Sunovion, Merz, UCB and Ipsen; membership in advisory boards of Abbvie, Boston Scientific, Ceregate, Inbrain, Inbrain Pharma and Iota; receiving honoraria from Abbvie, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, Sunovion, Merz, UCB and Ipsen; receiving grants from Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, MSA coalition, University of Toronto, Weston foundation, Michael J. Fox Foundation, Abbvie, Medtronic and Boston Scientific. None of these are relevant to the manuscript. Full disclosure form information provided by the authors is available with the full text of this article at Neurology.org/cp.

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