Synopsis:

Individuals who present with physical symptoms for which no disease pathology can be found are common in medical practice. In neurology outpatient clinics, patients with Functional Neurological Disorders (FNDs) are the second most common reason for referral after headaches. These disorders are known by a variety of synonyms including “hysteria”, “conversion disorder”, “somatoform disorders”, “non-organic” and “psychogenic symptoms”. Common presentations of FNDs include dissociative attacks causing periods of altered or loss of consciousness resembling epileptic seizures or syncope, and/or abnormal movements.

Functional Neurological Disorders cause significant levels of disability and distress and with current ‘usual care’, outcomes are poor. Modern multi-disciplinary treatments can lead to dramatically better outcomes. At the Mater Centre for Neurosciences in Brisbane, Dr Lehn leads a dedicated multidisciplinary team for patients with FND. Dr Lehn’s grand round presentation will cover epidemiology, aetiology and common misperceptions related to Functional Neurologic Disorders, how to make a diagnosis (and how not to!), as well as an overview of key aspects of management.

Speaker:

Dr Alexander Lehn attended medical school in Germany (Regensburg and Munich) and conducted his residency and basic physician training in the United Kingdom (Bristol) and Australia (Nambour and Brisbane). Dr Lehn then undertook a Fellowship in movement disorders at the Princess Alexandra hospital followed by a Fellowship in movement disorders and dementia in Newcastle upon Tyne in the United Kingdom. Together with Dr Sarah Olson he runs the movement disorders and deep brain stimulation service at Princess Alexandra Hospital and Mater Hospital Brisbane. In early 2015 Dr Lehn also started a dedicated clinic for functional neurological disorders at Mater Hospital Brisbane.