David L Perez MD, MMSc
Clinician-Scientist, Neurologist-Psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School | Chief, Mass General Brigham Division of Behavioral Neurology | Director, FND Unit & Research Group | Views My Own
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- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMSc[Not loaded yet]
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScAge and duration of illness are important to consider in developmental models of major depression.
- Check out this 2024 talk on Balancing the Anxious Self: Navigating the Interoceptive and Digital Realms by Sahib Khalsa (@skhalsa.bsky.social) youtu.be/fWUpcjWVMfQ?...
- One week away from launching our 2nd annual @harvardmed.bsky.social course Brain Medicine: Integrating the Clinical Neurosciences. On demand viewing for 30 days. Nearly 150 people registered. Join us! @jrbneuropsiq.bsky.social @foxmdphd.bsky.social learn.hms.harvard.edu/programs/bra...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScJust over 2 weeks left to submit your abstracts to the @fndsociety.bsky.social for the biannual FND international conference in Baltimore! Do come & support this new society for what must be medicine’s oldest & most enigmatic disorder! @https://www.fndsociety.org/biennial-meeting/2026/abstract
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScDo you know all the updates on restless legs syndrome (RLS) 2026? Are we getting the diagnosis right and the treatment smarter. Spoiler alert: ‘Gabapentenoids’ now take center stage. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScOver 125 years ago, Cécile & Oskar Vogt began assembling an extensive collection of brain histological sections and related documents. Katrin Amunts explores how digitizing these materials will create a valuable resource for modern neuroscience. shorturl.at/RaMw8
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScThis is great - a really nice overview of recent FND network studies, and a friendly introduction to predictive processing theory in FND 🙌
- Findings in this @biologicalpsych.bsky.social CNNI paper are complementary to other results published using graph theory metrics in @braincomms.bsky.social. Check out this 20 minute lecture by Christi Westlin that connects the two papers! 8/8 youtu.be/0Zjs-7lf6fA academic.oup.com/braincomms/a...
- Thank you @mayoclinic.org for a wonderful two days as a visiting professor with you all! Great opportunity to trade notes on how healthcare systems can be optimized to better assess & manage patients with functional neurological disorder. Also, pleased to share some of our latest rs-fMRI findings.
- Sharing @biologicalpsych.bsky.social CNNI study: Westlin et al. gradient mapping paper in 187 subjects [64 FND, 62 PCs, 61 HCs]. New mechanistic insights delineated in the paper - as well as summarized here 1/n @yutakatsumi.bsky.social @mgbresearch.bsky.social sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
- What does the brain’s overall cortical organization look like in #FND? Most studies focus on individual brain connections or networks — we took a step back to see how the cortex is organized as a whole - using a gradient mapping approach. 2/n
- Gradients are continuous maps that capture key dimensions of how parts of the brain communicate -- showing smooth transitions instead of drawing sharp boundaries between resting-state functional networks. 3/n
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View full threadFindings in this @biologicalpsych.bsky.social CNNI paper are complementary to other results published using graph theory metrics in @braincomms.bsky.social. Check out this 20 minute lecture by Christi Westlin that connects the two papers! 8/8 youtu.be/0Zjs-7lf6fA academic.oup.com/braincomms/a...
- Changes in PTSD Symptoms With Integrative Psychotherapy for Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder | The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. Study likely worth another good look for those in the #FND field - some interesting results. psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/...
- One month out from our @harvardmed.bsky.social course Brain Medicine: Integrating the Clinical Neurosciences. Registration open! A great lineup of speakers across psychiatry, neurology, neuropsychology & brain research. @massgeneralbrigham.bsky.social learn.hms.harvard.edu/programs/bra...
- New @neuroimageeic.bsky.social structural brain MRI study in functional cognitive disorder - a collaboration with #NoahSilverberg & colleagues - led by Christi Westlin. Structural brain alterations & predictors of clinical improvement in #FCD after concussion. sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScFND: an evolutionary perspective A short piece exploring an evolutionary perspective, specifically survival responses, to FND. These are not new ideas, but thank you to Akiriho Nishi for suggesting a short, standalone article to encourage wider debate academic.oup.com/emph/article...
- In 2025 - grateful that our Functional Neurological Disorder Unit & Research Group has diligently work across the 4 pillars of our mission: clinical care, program development, research & education. Making progress - with much more to do! giving.massgeneral.org/donate?fnd=1...
- Photo montage reflects pictures from a one day educational course on functional neurological disorder held at Mass General in Nov 2025 - with a focus on allied health professionals. Co-directors were Julie Maggio [Neuro-PT], Jessica Ranford [Neuro-OT], and Heather Salon [Neuro-PT].
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMSc#1 Friedman & Robbins: The role of prefrontal cortex in cognitive control & executive function (2022) This review explores cognitive control & executive function, their relationships with goal-directed behavior versus habits, & related brain regions www.nature.com/artic... 6/6
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMSc#3 Kredlow...Phelps: Prefrontal cortex, amygdala, & threat processing: implications for PTSD (2022) This review covers threat or fear learning processes in nonhuman animals, healthy humans & patients with PTSD, through the lens of the PFC www.nature.com/artic... 4/6
- Looking for options on how to use CME funds as we approach the end of the year? Consider signing up for our @harvardmed.bsky.social #BrainMedicine course at the intersection of neurology, psychiatry, neurorehabilitation, & clinical neuroscience listed below: learn.hms.harvard.edu/programs/bra...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScLong-term visual-to-tactile stimulation induces functional reorganization of thalamic pathways to achieve visual perception sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii… using haptic sensory substitution; #BCI #NeuroTech #blindness #neuroscience […] [Original post on mas.to]
- apnews.com/press-releas... issues new guideline for the management of functional seizures
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScNew @aanmember.bsky.social guidelines for the management of functional seizures led by Ben Tolchin. A landmark for people with FND worldwide. ✅Rigorous evidence-based process ✅Consensus practical recommendations ✅Endorsed by @fndsociety.bsky.social www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScHow gratifying that this is finally out! And what a pleasure to colllaborate on this. I hope it’s a real step forward for clinical care of people w func seizures. Also a wonderful learning experience for me personally - extremely rigorous methodology thnx to Maryam Oskoui and co-authors
- Four yrs in the making, @greenjournal.bsky.social Practice Guideline Executive Summary on the Management of Functional Seizures. First @aanmember.bsky.social published guideline on any #FND variant. Brilliantly led by #BenTolchin. @fndportal.bsky.social www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/...
- Four yrs in the making, @greenjournal.bsky.social Practice Guideline Executive Summary on the Management of Functional Seizures. First @aanmember.bsky.social published guideline on any #FND variant. Brilliantly led by #BenTolchin. @fndportal.bsky.social www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/...
- Excellent podcast by #DaraAlbert & #JeffRatliffe on a recent @greenjournal.bsky.social Education article. Targeting Self-Described Knowledge Gaps to Improve FND Education among Clinicians. Check it out. www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/... neurology.libsyn.com/website/targ...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMSc📣 Abstract submissions open Wednesday, Dec 3! Submit your work for the 6th International Conference on Functional Neurological Disorder — June 13–16, 2026 in Baltimore. 🗓 Deadline: Feb 11, 2026 – 11:59 PM PST Details: www.fndsociety.org/biennial-meeting/2026/abstract 🌍 Please help spread the word!
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMSc📄New feature alert: “Functional Neurological Disorder, Reframed.” A compelling look at the science reshaping how we understand FND—an often overlooked but highly impactful condition. Essential reading for clinicians, researchers, and advocates. magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/fun...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMSc🎙️ New podcast episode! We’re joined by Dr. Sarah Cope, Consultant Clinical Psychologist & accredited EMDR/CBT therapist. We cover: • Her path into FND • EMDR basics • EMDR for FND, incl. her NIHR-funded MODIFI trial
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMSc🎙️ New Episode! Multi-Cultural Podcast Series – Part 3 is live: FND Research, Funding & International Collaboration. Featuring guests from Italy, Peru, Netherlands, Japan, UK, Brazil, South Africa & India. Season 2, Episode 15 – listen now! 🌍
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScA very interesting article on FND that features Dr Mark Hallett, Neurologist who passed away recently (RIP). Hallett recalls. “It was the first evidence we had that shows that there are brain abnormalities in these patients" 💚🧡 magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/fun... #FNDIreland #FND
- Thanks for the post @alancarson15.bsky.social - grateful that the Harvard Medical School magazine put together this spotlight on functional neurological disorder.
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMSc@HarvardMedicine have done a great job with this article on FND, focused on the contribution of colleagues working there, including Barbara Dworetzky, David Perez and alumnus Mark Hallett. magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/fun...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScApplegate River Southern Oregon #photography
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScOh, those colors 🌲🍂🍃🍁❤️ #photography #nature #landscape #scape #landscapephotography #ardennes #EastCoastKin #ourthe #hérou
- Registration open for Harvard Medical School course Brain Medicine: Integrating the Clinical Neurosciences. Live Feb 6th 2026 - with 30 days of on-demand viewing. Discounted registration deadline Dec 5th @mgbresearch.bsky.social @massgeneralbrigham.bsky.social learn.hms.harvard.edu/programs/bra...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScWe are deeply saddened to share the passing of our founder, Dr. Mark Hallett (1943–2025)—a visionary neurologist, mentor, and pioneer in movement disorders and FND. His legacy will continue to inspire generations. 🕊️ Full tribute on the FNDS website: www.fndsociety.org/about-us/awa...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMSc📢 New FNDS Virtual Course: Advanced Course for the Assessment & Management of FND 🎥 13 expert lectures | 6+ hrs of content 💬 Live panel webinar – Nov 6 @ 9 AM ET 👩⚕️ Learn practical FND assessment & management strategies
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMSc🎥 Missed Thursday's Advanced Course Panel Discussion? The recording is now live! 📺 Watch here for free: youtu.be/dfxNfGRGpUM Explore more advanced #FND education & paid content: 👉 www.fndsociety.org/fnd-educatio...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScMaiden Castle circular for today’s dog walk. (Yes, there is a Maiden Castle prehistoric settlement in Durham; the Dorset one isn’t the only one). The autumn colours are glorious, but one strong winter gale will see them off. So pop out if you can and enjoy them while they last! #Durham 😊
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMSc[This post could not be retrieved]
- @fndsociety.bsky.social Advanced Course for the Assessment & Management of Functional Neurological Disorder is OPEN for registration & ON-DEMAND viewing of talks. Webinar on Nov 6th 9am EST @fndportal.bsky.social @jonstoneneuro.bsky.social @alancarson15.bsky.social www.fndsociety.org/fnd-educatio...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMSc💻The @FNDSociety is launching a new virtual, on-demand CME course. Advanced Course for the Assessment & Management of Functional Neurological Disorder Registration opens in late Oct & course goes live Monday Nov 3rd 🎞️
- Management of Anxiety in Parkinson's Disease - Berry - 2025 - Movement Disorders Clinical Practice - Wiley Online Library movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMSc❗ LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER❗ How can you best treat #FND? Join our expert-led webinar to increase your confidence in recognizing FND, communicating the diagnosis effectively, and helping your patients manage the disorder. 👉 buff.ly/bF2uOeh #NeuroSky #MedEd
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScThere are a lot of difficult challenges around FND (understanding brain dynamics, developing new treatments, etc). But the most *important* problems are much more easily solved - and yet I hear from folks about these same issues in the community over and over. Here’s a few 👇
- Registration is open for our #HarvardMedicalSchool course Brain Medicine: Integrating the Clinical Neurosciences. Goes live February 6th 2026 - with 30 days of on-demand viewing. Bridging neurology, psychiatry, neuropsychology, & interventional neuropsychiatry! learn.hms.harvard.edu/programs/bra...
- Identification of five sleep-biopsychosocial profiles with specific neural signatures linking sleep variability with health, cognition, and lifestyle factors dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
- Sharing new #JNCN paper led by #CristinaBleier, #EllenGodena, #DanMillstein detailing retrospective skills-based psychotherapy outcomes in functional neurological disorder. We also studied predictors of response to extended treatment. @apapsychiatric.bsky.social psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScTwo papers on treatment of functional neurological symptom disorder / #FND in the #JNCN. 1) Predictors of Skills-Based Psychotherapy Outcomes for Functional Neurological Disorder: A Retrospective Cohort Study Cristina Bleier, M.D., et al. psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScNew NHS England Neurology Service specification. ✅FND is one of seven core subspecialties ✅FND services MUST be provided in each specialised neurology centre. This is huge recognition of how common FND is in neurology - and unthinkable 20 yrs ago. 1/ t.co/XvGo0NIryA
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMSc
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScFinally, Jungilligens and Perez show how functional neurological disorder may stem from erroneous brain-body integration, highlighting predictive processing as a framework for understanding motor and sensory symptoms, expectation, self-agency, & illness beliefs. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38755514/
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScWhat if many psychiatric disorders share the same hidden glitch in how the brain infers reality? In a new volume, Al Powers and I gather experts to examine how disrupted sensory inference across #vision, #touch, #proprioception and #interoception might unify our understanding.
- Registration open for Harvard Medical School course Brain Medicine: Integrating the Clinical Neurosciences. Social networks, digital phenotyping, neuropsychology advances, psychopharm, personalizing neuromodulation, primary & secondary psychosis & other topics. learn.hms.harvard.edu/programs/bra...
- Adverse Childhood Experiences, Neurocognitive Functions, and Long-Term Mortality Risk. jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScFindings from multimodal clinical assessments of persons who had a traumatic brain injury (TBI) about 5 months prior suggest that post-TBI depression may not be a unitary construct but rather a condition encompassing clusters of symptoms. bit.ly/4nn6gAJ
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScLongitudinal examination of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and functional decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) suggests that monitoring individual NPS, particularly apathy, may identify a target for AD treatment in clinical trials. bit.ly/3GnCV8I
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScThe presence of positive signs of functional neurological disorder (FND) among individuals with headache should prompt a detailed assessment for a possible comorbid FND and may indicate the need for more intensive therapy. bit.ly/3TiIicc
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScProviders managing Alzheimer’s disease and the health care systems in which they work are shifting the emphasis of care from support to disease modification. Pt 2 of this series discusses care coordination challenges to safe and equitable delivery of antiamyloid monoclonal antibodies. bit.ly/3U0BUGQ
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScOur latest issue features the neural circuits of habits; predictors of antidepressant us among people with MS; anger and interpersonal conflicts among FND patients; and L266V MAPT gene mutation associated with frontotemporal dementia, and corticobasal syndrome. bit.ly/4fkce1N
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScOur latest #JNCN Windows to the Brain discusses neuroanatomic structures and neural circuits of habits. bit.ly/4lo73PC
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScVery interesting fMRI study on network integration and segregation in the pathophysiology of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). 💚🧡 #FND @neuroscienceirl.bsky.social @rcsi.bsky.social @fens.org @efna.net
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScGood to see an article on multidisciplinary treatment for Functional Movement Disorder by @jonstoneneuro.bsky.social and @alancarson15.bsky.social feature in this months issue of @continuumaan.bsky.social.💚🧡 continuum.aan.com/doi/abs/10.1... #FND #FNDIreland @fndportal.bsky.social
- Sharing new paper led by #RichardMiller & #DaraAlbert Education Research: Targeting Self-Described Knowledge Gaps to Improve Functional Neurologic Disorder Education Among Clinicians. @aanmember.bsky.social @greenjournal.bsky.social @fndsociety.bsky.social www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMSc𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻-𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆: 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹, 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘅, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Excellent review paper about reactive and anticipatory processes. #neuroskyence doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScA systematic review of psychotherapy for FND showed probable benefit across a range of symptoms from CBT and PDT in 19 studies. I proposed that the lack of conclusive evidence may relate to the heterogeneity of FND requiring tailored treatment. 2/5 doi.org/10.1136/jnnp...
- Reposted by David L Perez MD, MMScThis is such a nice study. A group in Bern independently recreated our 3D printed apparatus and respiratory interoception task to show that functional neurological disorder is associated with reduced sensitivity to inspiratory resistance. academic.oup.com/braincomms/a... Open science FTW!
