In general, meningopolyradiculitis (Bannwarth's syndrome, stage 2 of neuroborreliosis) follows a predictable monophasic self-limiting course. In contrast, we report the case of a patient with an untreated meningopolyradiculitis which evolved into acute schizophrenia-like psychosis due to persistent infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. The psychosis resolved within 1 week of treatment with ceftriaxone. This case shows that the usually benign monophasic meningopolyradiculitis may progress to severe CNS complications, which may have implications on current pathophysiological beliefs.

The purpose of this study was to explore dangerousness and fire setting recidivism of mentally disordered firesetters in comparison with mentally healthy arsonists. In Germany, all trials are registered centrally by the Federal Central Register. The records of this Register for the three year period from 1983 until 1985 were used in this follow-up study of arsonists to identify three samples of subjects: (1) All persons convicted of arson who have been found not guilty by reasons of insanity (n = 186), (2) all person convicted of arson who have been found guilty of diminished responsibility (n = 97), and (3) a random selection from all persons convicted of arson who have had no psychiatric examination in their trial (n = 187). The follow-up ended in 1994, providing a period of, on average, ten years. Mentally disordered arsonists differed from non-mentally disordered arsonists in the following ways: They were more likely, first, to have a history of arson before 1983, and secondly, to be convicted of arson again (11% relapse compared to 4%). Mentally disordered arsonists had fewer registrations of common offenses, such as theft as well as traffic violations and alcohol-related offenses. Based on the present sample, mentally disordered firesetters have a higher rate of recurrence of firesetting than non-mentally disordered firesetters and commit fewer common offenses other than firesetting.

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Taking into account the different concepts of delusion and analysing rational and intuitive cognition, the present phenomenological-conceptual study aims at defining the essential nature of delusion. Intuitive cognition as a result of holistic processing is founded in the development of polysensoric-kinaesthetic basic pictures (eidetic matrices), which are recognized preverbally and prereflexively by subliminal perception of corresponding eidetic structures. A positive match between a matrix and a given phenomenon produces an eidetic feeling. This eidetic feeling encompasses three aspects. The first is a preverbal knowledge of something as something definite. As a direct self-reference, the second is the feeling of an object-inherent significance of the given phenomenon for the subject itself. Thirdly, a power vector is perceived to derive from the object. The application of this concept allows us to consider delusion as a disturbance in the system of holistic information processing. This disturbance is characterized by a disinhibition and actualization of eidetic matrices in different ways. The resulting eidetic feeling we call delusion; its expression in thoughts and words we call a delusional idea. All features of an eidetic feeling can be demonstrated in delusion. Owing to their special intensity and suspended reason, they mostly appear to be unique. The analysis of the eidetic structures of delusion allows a deeper understanding of delusion and facilitates both its diagnosis and its differentiation. Heterogeneous terms, such as delusional mood, idea of meaning, idea of reference, delusional notion and delusional perception emerge in an understandable context.