Diagnostic Challenges of Functional Cognitive Disorders
Introduction Functional cognitive disorders (FCD) denotes a complaint about memory function or, less commonly, another cognitive process, in the absence of relevant neuropathology and with evidence of inconsistency between symptoms reported and signs identified at assessment. Increasing numbers of...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2023-03-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933823019478/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1797616039259799552 |
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| author | J. Petta A. L. Falcão G. Soares A. Lourenço |
| author_facet | J. Petta A. L. Falcão G. Soares A. Lourenço |
| author_sort | J. Petta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction
Functional cognitive disorders (FCD) denotes a complaint about memory function or, less commonly, another cognitive process, in the absence of relevant neuropathology and with evidence of inconsistency between symptoms reported and signs identified at assessment.
Increasing numbers of people with FCD are being identified.
Most are discharged back to primary care without a diagnosis or are given the label of mild cognitive impairment, which is not a synonym for FCD.
Objectives
There is a multitude of terms in the clinic and in the research to describe this kind of complaints. Some terms seem to minimize and normalize the state, whereas others posit an underlying cause.
Given this lack of order, it is a challenge to diagnose it and give it the proper clinical guidance.
This literature-based review aims to fill this gap.
Methods
Data was obtained through an internet-based literature search, using the databases PubMed, Cochrane Library and NCBI. The World Health Organization was also utilized. Nine articles from the last two years were included.
Results
It is listed a nosology in six categories and a selection of clinical features which may help with the discrimination of functional and neurological disease causes of memory disorders.
Conclusions
Patients presenting with complaints about memory function require standard psychiatric and neurological history and examination.
It should be emphasized that these conditions are not diagnoses of exclusion but have positive symptoms and signs that should become well-known.
Nevertheless, we remain uncertain about prognosis and treatments, both psychological and pharmacological. Its development would reduce the burden of patients in the healthcare systems.
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:35:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-04f9679340854cc896bb94e3f8c879bd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:35:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-04f9679340854cc896bb94e3f8c879bd2023-11-17T05:10:02ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852023-03-0166S921S92110.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.1947Diagnostic Challenges of Functional Cognitive DisordersJ. Petta0A. L. Falcão1G. Soares2A. Lourenço3Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa, Lisboa, PortugalCentro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa, Lisboa, PortugalCentro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa, Lisboa, PortugalCentro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal Introduction Functional cognitive disorders (FCD) denotes a complaint about memory function or, less commonly, another cognitive process, in the absence of relevant neuropathology and with evidence of inconsistency between symptoms reported and signs identified at assessment. Increasing numbers of people with FCD are being identified. Most are discharged back to primary care without a diagnosis or are given the label of mild cognitive impairment, which is not a synonym for FCD. Objectives There is a multitude of terms in the clinic and in the research to describe this kind of complaints. Some terms seem to minimize and normalize the state, whereas others posit an underlying cause. Given this lack of order, it is a challenge to diagnose it and give it the proper clinical guidance. This literature-based review aims to fill this gap. Methods Data was obtained through an internet-based literature search, using the databases PubMed, Cochrane Library and NCBI. The World Health Organization was also utilized. Nine articles from the last two years were included. Results It is listed a nosology in six categories and a selection of clinical features which may help with the discrimination of functional and neurological disease causes of memory disorders. Conclusions Patients presenting with complaints about memory function require standard psychiatric and neurological history and examination. It should be emphasized that these conditions are not diagnoses of exclusion but have positive symptoms and signs that should become well-known. Nevertheless, we remain uncertain about prognosis and treatments, both psychological and pharmacological. Its development would reduce the burden of patients in the healthcare systems. Disclosure of Interest None Declaredhttps://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933823019478/type/journal_article |
| spellingShingle | J. Petta A. L. Falcão G. Soares A. Lourenço Diagnostic Challenges of Functional Cognitive Disorders European Psychiatry |
| title | Diagnostic Challenges of Functional Cognitive Disorders |
| title_full | Diagnostic Challenges of Functional Cognitive Disorders |
| title_fullStr | Diagnostic Challenges of Functional Cognitive Disorders |
| title_full_unstemmed | Diagnostic Challenges of Functional Cognitive Disorders |
| title_short | Diagnostic Challenges of Functional Cognitive Disorders |
| title_sort | diagnostic challenges of functional cognitive disorders |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933823019478/type/journal_article |
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