Abstract
Functional (psychogenic) movement disorders are characterized variability and inconsistency of the symptoms, which are incongruent with movement disorders known to be caused by organic neurological disease. The pathophysiology of functional movement disorders is still poorly understood.
Previously emphasized causal role of psychological factors was questioned and a neurobiological model of the development of functional symptoms has been proposed. The diagnosis of functional movement disorders should rely on the presence of characteristic clinical features and not on exclusion of organic causis.
Early diagnosis and its acceptance by the patient, is essential for the prognosis. Therapeutic strategies consist in multimodal approach with a dominant role of the neurologist, who establishes and communicates the diagnosis and guides the treatment.