Alexithymia and alexisomia in adolescents with functional neurological disorders: insights from brain network connectivity analysis – a study protocol
6 affiliations
- 1Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Bar-Ilan University
- 2Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Edmond and Lily Safra Children’s Hospital
- 3Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Tel Aviv University
- 4Clinical Brain Imaging Center, Diagnostic Imaging Department, Sheba Medical Center
- 5Nursing Department, School of Health Sciences, Ariel University
- 6The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University
Abstract
Background: Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a complex neuropsychiatric condition, characterized by diverse sensory and motor symptoms, and accompanied by significant pain and comorbidities. While previous research has explored FND primarily in adults, this study proposes to focus on adolescents, a critical developmental period where FND can emerge and impact various developmental milestones. The multifaceted nature of FND has led to the investigation of two underexplored compromised awareness traits: alexithymia (difficulty in emotional awareness) and alexisomia (difficulty in somatic awareness), and the relationship between them.
Methods: In the proposed study, we will apply a multidimensional model, to examine both subjective and objective aspects of alexithymia and alexisomia and their associations with FND symptoms. Finally, we will employ a comprehensive model of advanced neuroimaging techniques, including graph theory of both structural and functional connectivity, to investigate brain network patterns in adolescents with FND.
Discussion: By linking psychological constructs, such as emotional awareness, with neural connectivity, our novel theoretical and analytical approach will advance our understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms of awareness traits in adolescents with FND. This will assist in identifying potential biomarkers for early detection, refining diagnostic criteria, and informing the development of targeted interventions, contributing to potential improvement of clinical care and outcomes for adolescents with FND.
Related
- Baseline network connectivity is longitudinally associated with internalizing symptoms through conduct problems in adolescents
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- Empowering recovery: the role of self-management in motor-functional neurological disorder.
- Sex-Modulated Coupling Between Genetically-Regulated Gene Expression and Functional Network Connectivity in Schizophrenia
BibTeX
@article{silberg2026alexithymia,
title = {{Alexithymia and alexisomia in adolescents with functional neurological disorders: insights from brain network connectivity analysis – a study protocol}},
author = {Tamar Silberg and Karin Mashevich and Anna Vaslavski and Sharon Barak and Jana Landa and Abigail Livny},
journal = {Frontiers in Psychiatry},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1899408},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1899408/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Alexithymia and alexisomia in adolescents with functional neurological disorders: insights from brain network connectivity analysis – a study protocol
AU - Tamar Silberg
AU - Karin Mashevich
AU - Anna Vaslavski
AU - Sharon Barak
AU - Jana Landa
AU - Abigail Livny
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/02
JO - Frontiers in Psychiatry
DO - 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1899408
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1899408/full
AB - Background: Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a complex neuropsychiatric condition, characterized by diverse sensory and motor symptoms, and accompanied by significant pain and comorbidities. While previous research has explored FND primarily in adults, this study proposes to focus on adolescents, a critical developmental period where FND can emerge and impact various developmental milestones. The multifaceted nature of FND has led to the investigation of two underexplored compromised awareness traits: alexithymia (difficulty in emotional awareness) and alexisomia (difficulty in somatic awareness), and the relationship between them. Methods: In the proposed study, we will apply a multidimensional model, to examine both subjective and objective aspects of alexithymia and alexisomia and their associations with FND symptoms. Finally, we will employ a comprehensive model of advanced neuroimaging techniques, including graph theory of both structural and functional connectivity, to investigate brain network patterns in adolescents with FND. Discussion: By linking psychological constructs, such as emotional awareness, with neural connectivity, our novel theoretical and analytical approach will advance our understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms of awareness traits in adolescents with FND. This will assist in identifying potential biomarkers for early detection, refining diagnostic criteria, and informing the development of targeted interventions, contributing to potential improvement of clinical care and outcomes for adolescents with FND.
SN - 1664-0640
ER -