Prevalence of autistic traits in functional neurological disorder and relationship to alexithymia and psychiatric comorbidity.

This study looked at autism-like traits in 91 adults with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). They found that 40% showed significant autism traits, and these people also had higher levels of depression, anxiety, and difficulty understanding emotions (alexithymia). The research suggests that people with FND may benefit from communication approaches designed for autistic individuals during treatment.

This cross-sectional study examined autistic traits in 91 adults with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) using the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10). Results showed 40% of FND patients scored ≥6 on AQ-10, indicating elevated autistic traits. Those with higher autistic traits demonstrated significantly greater alexithymia, depression, anxiety, social phobia, ADHD, and dyslexia scores. Additionally, 40% screened positive for alexithymia (difficulty identifying emotions).

Mediation analysis revealed alexithymia partially explained the relationship between autistic traits and depression. The findings suggest a notable overlap between FND and autism spectrum characteristics, potentially indicating need for adapted communication strategies in FND treatment approaches.

High prevalence of autistic traits in FND patients suggests clinicians should consider autism-informed communication strategies and comprehensive psychiatric screening. Assessment of alexithymia may be valuable given its mediating role in depression outcomes.

Single-center study with modest sample size (n=91). Cross-sectional design prevents causal inferences. Authors acknowledge mechanistic conclusions are limited. Study relies on self-report measures. Lacks control group comparison.

In a cohort of adults with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), we aim to: METHODS: 91 patients participating in a FND 5-week outpatient program completed baseline self-report questionnaires for total phobia, somatic symptom severity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia. Patients were grouped by Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10) score of <6 or ≥ 6 and compared for significant differences in tested variables. This analysis was repeated with patients grouped by alexithymia status. Simple effects were tested using pairwise comparisons.

Multistep regression models tested direct relationships between autistic traits and psychiatric comorbidity scores, and mediation by alexithymia. 36 patients (40%) were AQ-10 positive (scoring ≥6 on AQ-10). A further 36 patients (across AQ-10 positive and AQ-10 negative groups) (40%) screened positive for alexithymia. AQ-10 positive patients scored significantly higher for alexithymia, depression, generalised anxiety, social phobia, ADHD, and dyslexia. Alexithymia positive patients scored significantly higher for generalised anxiety, depression, somatic symptoms severity, social phobia, and dyslexia.

Alexithymia score was found to mediate the relationship between autistic trait and depression scores. We demonstrate a high proportion of autistic and alexithymic traits, in adults with FND. A higher prevalence of autistic traits may highlight a need for specialised communication approaches in FND management. Mechanistic conclusions are limited.

Future research could explore links with interoceptive data.