Neuroenergetic Deficits in Functional/Dissociative Seizures: A Hypothesis on Brain Economy Failures
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By
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Lana Higson
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July 3, 2026
Clinical Report: Neuroenergetic Deficits in Functional/Dissociative Seizures
Background
Functional/dissociative seizures (FDS) are prevalent in up to one-third of patients in epilepsy monitoring units, yet their underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. The condition predominantly affects females and is associated with significant healthcare resource use due to diagnostic delays.
Data Highlights
No numerical data or trial results were provided in the source material.
Key Findings
- Functional/dissociative seizures may involve a neuroenergetic deficit syndrome.
- The condition is characterized by a mismatch between cerebral oxygen delivery and metabolic demand.
- Symptoms overlap with those of controlled hypoxia.
- There is a documented predominance of FDS in females.
- The prognosis for pediatric populations with FDS is relatively favorable compared to adults.
- The condition exhibits a relapsing-remitting course and heterogeneity in clinical presentations.
Clinical Implications
Clinicians should consider the neuroenergetic hypothesis when evaluating patients with functional/dissociative seizures.
Conclusion
The neuroenergetic deficit hypothesis offers a perspective on the mechanisms underlying functional/dissociative seizures.
Related Resources & Content
- Author(s)/Org, Source, Year -- Title
- Brain — Transforming Computational Neuropsychiatry: Moving Beyond Synaptopathy
- Brain — Disruption of Interictal Suppressive Networks Facilitates Seizure Propagation
- Brain — Enhanced Annotations Lead to Improved Outcomes: Expanding the Suppression Hypothesis in Relation to Seizure Timing
- Brain — Exploring the Role of Laminar Functional MRI in Enhancing Insights into Human Epilepsy
- Functional/dissociative seizures: Proposal for a new diagnostic label and definition by the ILAE task force
- American Academy of Neurology: Neurology Resources | AAN
- Treatment of functional neurological disorder: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses - PubMed
Based on findings from:
Functional/dissociative seizures as a neuroenergetic deficit syndrome: a brain economy failure hypothesis
Lana Higson. Frontiers In Neurology, 2026.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2026.1865708/full
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