Breaking the Cycle of FND: How TMS & Neuroplasticity Help the Brain "Reboot" 

For decades, patients with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) were told their symptoms were "all in their head." They would undergo MRI scans, EEGs, and nerve conduction tests, only to be told that everything looked normal—even while they suffered from paralyzing weakness, tremors, or non-epileptic seizures.

Today, we know the truth: FND is not "imagined." It is a real, disabling condition rooted in the way the brain processes signals.

At CNS Brain Center in Chicago and River Forest, we approach FND differently. We don't just manage symptoms; we use advanced neuromodulation, specifically Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), to target the root of the dysfunction. This article explains the science of FND, the role of neuroplasticity in recovery, and how our specific protocols are helping patients regain control of their bodies.

The "Software vs. Hardware" Analogy

To understand how we treat FND, you must first understand what it is.

In neurology, we often look for "hardware" problems, a stroke, a tumor, or a lesion on the spinal cord. These are structural issues that show up clearly on an MRI.

FND, however, is a "software" problem. Imagine a computer with perfect hardware—the screen is intact, the processor is new, and the battery is charged. But if the operating system has a glitch or a corrupt file, the computer will crash or freeze. The machinery is fine, but the signaling is wrong.

In FND, the brain’s "predictive coding" has gone awry. The brain expects a leg to be weak, or a hand to tremor, and it inadvertently creates that reality by blocking the normal signals that would allow for smooth movement.

The Trending Science: Neuroplasticity and FND

You may have heard the term neuroplasticity in relation to stroke recovery or learning a new language. But neuroplasticity is also the key to understanding—and treating—FND.

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. It is how we learn, but unfortunately, it is also how we learn bad habits.

How Maladaptive Plasticity Causes FND FND is often the result of "maladaptive neuroplasticity." Following a minor injury, a panic attack, or a period of intense stress, the brain may accidentally "learn" a disconnect. For example, if you limp for weeks due to a sprained ankle, your brain creates a strong neural pathway for "limping." In FND, that pathway becomes so strong that even after the ankle heals, the brain continues to send the "limp" signal. The software glitch becomes the default setting.

How We Harness Plasticity for Cure 

The good news is that neuroplasticity works both ways. If the brain can learn a dysfunction, it can also unlearn it.

Treatment at CNS Brain Center focuses on positive neuroplasticity. We use TMS to interrupt the faulty "error signal" in the brain. By stimulating the motor cortex directly, we can force the brain to send a correct signal to the limb. This provides the patient with undeniable proof that their "hardware" works. Once the brain sees the limb move normally, it begins to overwrite the old, glitchy software with the new, correct pattern.

Patient Case Study: "Sarah’s" Journey Back to Walking

(Anonymized Patient Case Study)

Note: This story is an anonymized composite based on typical FND treatment outcomes to protect patient privacy.

The Patient

 "Sarah," a 34-year-old marketing executive, came to our Chicago clinic in a wheelchair. Six months prior, she had developed a sudden heaviness in her left leg. It started as a drag but quickly progressed to near-total paralysis. She had seen three other specialists who confirmed her MRI was clean and diagnosed her with "conversion disorder," offering little treatment beyond talk therapy.

The Assessment 

When Sarah met Dr. Lenny Cohen, she was skeptical. She felt her leg was "dead." However, during her initial evaluation, we noticed that when she was distracted performing tasks with her hands, the muscle tone in her leg briefly normalized, a classic sign of FND.

The Intervention

TMS as a "Primer" Sarah began a protocol of TMS coupled with physical rehabilitation.

1. The Setup: We placed the TMS coil over the motor cortex corresponding to her left leg.
2. The "Breakthrough": We delivered a series of magnetic pulses. Immediately, Sarah’s leg kicked out involuntarily. This was the critical moment: she saw and felt her leg move. It proved the connection was still there.
3. The Retraining: While the TMS had the pathway "open," we immediately began physical exercises. Because the magnetic pulses had temporarily disrupted the brain's "blocking" signal, Sarah was able to voluntarily move her toes for the first time in months.

The Outcome 

Over the course of 4 weeks of treatment at CNS Brain Center, Sarah’s brain "relearned" how to walk. By week 2, she was using a cane. By week 4, she walked out of our clinic unassisted.

"I felt like my brain was rebooted," she told us. "I just needed something to jumpstart the connection again."

Why TMS Works for FND

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is uniquely suited for FND because it bridges the gap between neurology and psychiatry. It is not just a psychological treatment, and it is not just physical therapy—it is a physiological intervention.

1. Restoring Agency: Many FND patients feel they have lost control of their bodies. TMS demonstrates immediate motor control (e.g., making a hand twitch or a leg lift), which psychologically empowers the patient and reduces the anxiety that often fuels the disorder.
2. Interrupting the Loop: FND relies on a "feedback loop" of abnormal brain activity, often involving the limbic system (emotion) hijacking the motor system (movement). Deep TMS can reach deeper brain structures to calm this overactive limbic response while simultaneously stimulating the underactive motor cortex.
3. Synergy with Physical Therapy: We often treat FND patients in our River Forest location, where we can integrate TMS sessions directly with our new physical therapy and vestibular rehabilitation services. This "Prime and Practice" model—using TMS to prime the brain, followed immediately by PT, is the gold standard for FND care.

Is This Treatment Right for You?

Functional Neurological Disorder is complex, and no two cases are identical. However, if you have been diagnosed with FND, conversion disorder, or non-epileptic seizures and feel like you have run out of options, TMS may offer a new path forward.

Now Available in River Forest With the opening of our River Forest expansion in February 2026, we have increased our capacity to treat complex FND cases. This location features private TMS suites and a dedicated physical therapy wing, allowing for the comprehensive, multi-disciplinary care that FND requires.

Take the First Step Do not accept "permanent" disability without exploring your neuroplastic potential. Contact CNS Brain Center today to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Lenny Cohen. Let’s find out if we can reboot your system.

Schedule your consultation today to learn more about TMS for Functional Neurological Disorder and discover how modern neuromodulation can help you reclaim your life.