Classification Committee

The FND Society Classification Oversight Committee (FNDS COSC) aims at:

• developing a new, overarching definition of FND,
• reaching a consensus on the preferred nomenclature for FND and its subtypes,
• formulating improved diagnostic criteria beginning with the most common subtypes of FND namely functional/dissociative seizures and functional motor disorders.

The process that will be followed to reach these aims is described in the Process and Governance Plan below. The document describes how there will be opportunities for health professionals, community partner organizations, and the general public to comment on the proposed new terminology and diagnostic criteria. We are keen to make this process transparent and one that the whole FND community of researchers and people with the condition can take part in. We will announce these opportunities on social media and post timelines here when available.

Current members of the FNDS COSC are:

• Prof. Jon Stone
• Dr. Jeffrey Staab
• Dr. Tereza Serranová
• Prof. Mark Edwards
• Dr. Markus Reuber
• Dr. Sonja Rutten

Currently, three workgroups are in the process of formulating a proposal for new diagnostic criteria for FND and its most common subtypes, i.e. functional/dissociative seizures and functional movement disorders:

1. The Overarching Definition and Diagnostic Criteria (ODCC) Workgroup, chaired by Dr. Sonja Rutten. Members are: FND portal, dr. Timothy Nicholson, prof. Sanjay Pandey, prof. Jeffrey Staab and prof. Jon Stone.
2. The Functional/Dissociative Seizures (F/DS) Workgroup, chaired by Dr. M. Reuber, collaborating with the Functional/Dissociative Seizure Task Force of the International League of Epilepsy (ILAE). Members are: Kim Hearne, prof. William Curt laFrance, prof. Coraline Hingray, prof. Richard Kanaan, drs. Rosa Michaelis, dr. Stoyan Popkirov, dr. Chrisma Pretorius, dr. Mercedes Sarudianky, prof. Colin Reilly and dr. Qing Xue.
3. The Functional Movement Disorder (FMD) Workgroup, co-chaired by Dr. Tereza Serranová and prof. Mark Edwards, collaborating with the FMD Study Group from the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS). Members are: Bridget Mildon, dr. Glenn Nielsen, prof. Anthony Lang; prof. Alexander Lehn, prof. David Perez and prof. Kasia Kozlowska.

For inquiries regarding activities of the FNDS COSC, please email Dr. Sonja Rutten at s.rutten1@amsterdamumc.nl.