Migraine and functional neurological disorder (FND)
A review of comorbidity and potential overlap
Stone J, Coebergh J, Khoja L, Butler M, Nicholson TR, Dodick DW
Brain Communications (2025)
Key Takeaways
- Migraine and FND often appear together, especially in people with functional seizures.
- Shared risk factors: more common in women, linked to stress, trauma, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and IBS.
- Migraine can trigger FND symptoms, and FND can make migraine worse.
- Both may involve the brain’s stress and prediction systems getting “stuck.”
- More research is needed, but treating migraine may sometimes ease FND too.
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Why this matters
If you live with FND and migraine, you’re not alone. Doctors have long noticed the overlap, but only now are researchers beginning to study it closely. Understanding the connection could help improve care, reduce misdiagnosis, and create new treatment options.
What the study found
- What was studied: Researchers reviewed published studies on how migraine and FND overlap.
- What was learned: Migraine is more common in people with functional seizures than in those with epilepsy. Some people with migraine—especially children—show FND-like symptoms (tremor, shaking spells, weakness).
- Connections to FND: Migraine attacks can trigger FND episodes. Aura symptoms can resemble FND, making diagnosis tricky. Stress, trauma, and overlapping conditions (like IBS and fibromyalgia) are common in both.
What you can do
- Track symptoms: Write down if migraine episodes seem to spark or worsen your FND symptoms.
- Provider question: Could migraine treatment options also help with your FND flare-ups?
- Self-strategy: Use pacing, sleep support, and stress reduction to ease both migraine and FND.
- Remember: Research is still new, but it shows progress—and hope.
Citation
Stone J, Coebergh J, Khoja L, Butler M, Nicholson TR, Dodick DW. Migraine and functional neurological disorder (FND)—a review of comorbidity and potential overlap. Brain Communications. 2025;7(4):fcaf288. doi:10.1093/braincomms/fcaf288
This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or legal advice. It is not intended to replace professional consultation or treatment. Always consult qualified providers regarding your specific circumstances, symptoms, or questions.