In the Neurology Service of the Ruber Internacional Hospital, we have been pioneers in the diagnosis and treatment of functional patients in Spain, creating in 2009 the first Functional Movement Disorders Unit.
In response to the needs of our patients over the years, the diagnosis and treatment of pathologies of functional origin have been incorporated.
Given the volume of patients we see and the services we offer, this Functional Neurological Disorders Unit has been created.
What are functional neurological disorders?
What are functional neurological disorders?
Functional neurological disorder, also known as conversion disorder, is one that has nervous system (neurological) symptoms that cannot be attributed to a neurological disease or other medical condition. However, the symptoms are true and cause a lot of pain or problems that affect the patients’ quality of life.
Symptoms may vary depending on the type of functional neurological disorder and may include particular patterns. Typically, this disorder has an impact on senses or movement, such as the ability to walk, swallow, see or hear. The intensity of symptoms can vary, and may be recurrent or long-lasting.
The precise cause of the functional neurological disorder is unknown. Theories about what occurs in the brain to cause symptoms are intricate and involve various mechanisms that may fluctuate depending on the type of symptoms of the functional neurological disorder.
In essence, brain areas that regulate the functioning of muscles and senses may be involved, even though no disease or abnormality is present.
Signs of functional neurological disorder may arise unexpectedly after a stressful event, or following emotional or bodily trauma. Other triggers may be modifications or changes in brain function at the structural, cellular or metabolic level. However, it is not always possible to determine the factor causing the symptoms.
Functional neurological disorder has no known cause
Circuit for functional patients
- Contact Form
- E-mail: info@neurologaclinica.es
- Telephone 91 387 52 50 /50 00
- If the patient has a previous diagnosis, previous reports and/or tests will be evaluated by a specialist neurologist.
- In case of no previous diagnosis and symptoms compatible with TNF, a specialist neurologist will evaluate the patient and take a complete medical history.
The diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder is confirmed.
All our plans are customized according to the needs of each patient, they may vary in duration, volume of sessions and the professionals involved.
They are periodically reviewed by the specialist neurologist.
At all times the therapists and neurologists maintain constant communication to assess the evolution.
Interdisciplinary team
Dr. Marisa Almarcha
Neurologist. Movement Disorders Unit
Dr. Isabel Pareés
Neurologist. TMF unit
Dr. Marta Bravo
Psychiatrist
Dr. Marta Sanz
Psychiatrist
Dr. Irene García Morales
Neurologist. Epilepsy Unit
Dr. Monica Kurtis
Neurologist. Movement Disorders Unit
Blanca Borda
Clinical Psychologist
Pablo Martin
Physical therapist. Neuro-rehabilitation Unit
Pilar Rada
Physical therapist. Neuro-rehabilitation Unit
Mª de los Ángeles Santos
Physical therapist. Neuro-rehabilitation Unit
Lucia Vacas
Physical therapist. Neuro-rehabilitation Unit
Mamen Vicente
Speech therapist. Neuro-rehabilitation Unit
