“Motoring in idle”: The default mode and somatomotor networks are overactive in children and adolescents with functional neurological symptoms

Abstract

Objective: Children and adolescents with functional neurological symptom disorder (FND) present with diverse neurological symptoms not explained by a disease process. Functional neurological symptoms have been conceptualized as somatoform dissociation, a disruption of the brain's intrinsic organization and reversion to a more primitive level of function. We used EEG to investigate neural function and functional brain organization in children/adolescents with FND. Method EEG was recorded in the resting eyes-open condition in 57 patients (aged 8.5–18 years) and 57 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Using a topographical map, EEG power data were quantified for regions of interest that define the default mode network (DMN), salience network, and somatomotor network. Source localization was examined using low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA). The contributions of chronic pain and arousal as moderators of differences in EEG power were also examined. Results: Children/adolescents with FND had excessive theta and delta power in electrode clusters corresponding to the DMN—both anteriorly (dorsomedial prefrontal cortex [dmFPC]) and posteriorly (posterior cingulate cortex [PCC], precuneus, and lateral parietal cortex)—and in the premotor/supplementary motor area (SMA) region. There was a trend toward increased theta and delta power in the salience network. LORETA showed activation across all three networks in all power bands and localized neural sources to the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex/dmPFC, mid cingulate cortex, PCC/precuneus, and SMA. Pain and arousal contributed to slow wave power increases in all three networks. Conclusions: These findings suggest that children and adolescents with FND are characterized by overactivation of intrinsic resting brain networks involved in threat detection, energy regulation, and preparation for action.