Loss and Return of Ticklishness in Functional Neurological Disorder.

BACKGROUND

People with functional neurological disorder (FND) have abnormalities in sensory processing. Loss of ticklishness has been rarely reported.

OBJECTIVES

To describe associated clinical features in people with FND and loss of ticklishness and explore correlations with sensory changes.

METHODS

Retrospective audit of clinical letters of people diagnosed with FND in a tertiary clinic and further cases identified in a general neurology clinic.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients with loss of ticklishness are described, of which most had other functional sensory symptoms and signs. It was more often localized to one limb, rather than generalized, in those with pain or weakness. Dissociation for the affected body part was often described.

CONCLUSIONS

Loss of ticklishness in FND is frequently described and offers insights into mechanisms of agency, sensory processing and interoception, which are known to be altered in FND.