EEG: a helpful tool in the prediction of psychosis

Abstract

j Abstract Objective EEG investigation in patients with an at risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis and patients with a first episode of psychosis (FE) in comparison to healthy controls (HC) in a clinical follow up study of Early Detection of Psychosis. Method Seventy-three patients (42 ARMS, 31 FE) and 35 HC were investigated. ARMS patients were followed up in order to monitor transition to psychosis. Psychopathology was assessed with respect to positive and negative symptoms. At study baseline EEG was recorded using the 10/20 system. Two blinded neurologists analyzed the EEGs visually for presence of generalized or focal slowing and epileptiform discharges. EEG data were controlled for medication and substance abuse. For statistical analyses we used v 2 -tests, logistic regression, ANOVA, and receiver operating characteristics. Results Patients showed significantly more pathological EEG abnormalities than HC (P < 0.05), located more frequently in temporal or fronto-temporal regions (P < 0.01) of the brain, with twice as many pathologies in ARMS than in FE patients. The specificity of the prediction of psychosis could be increased from 59 to 73% by considering EEG pathology in addition to psychopathology alone. In contrast, sensitivity of prediction remained unchanged. Conclusions These results show that EEG investigation in patients at risk for psychosis can add to the identification of those patients who will not develop psychosis later on.

Resting EEG in psychosis and at-risk populations — A possible endophenotype?

“…Previous studies on such groups are limited, with inconclusive findings. Abnormalities similar to chronic patients have been observed in first episode patients (Clementz et al, 1994; Sponheim et al, 1994), ARMS (Gschwandtner et al, 2009) and healthy controls (Alfimova and Uvarova, 2003), but several studies have also failed to show abnormalities in these populations (Winterer et al, 2001; Wuebben and Winterer, 2001; Harris et al, 2006). John et al (1994) found, similarly to our results, that chronic but not first episode schizophrenic patients had increased delta and theta resting activity.…”

EEG alterations during treatment with olanzapine

“…However, since epileptic seizures are relevant ADRs of antipsychotic drugs, the EEG may help to identify patients at risk. Furthermore, EEG measurements are reported to add information for patients at risk for psychosis [24]. …”

A Neurophysiological Test May Help Diagnosing Unclear Cases by Soren Nielzen

“…Memory, concentration and orientation are adequate and attention good, although there are a few fallacies regarding her interpretation of humorous comments during the conversation. There are no signs of hallucinations or delusions; the mental and cognitive flow is continuous as is her motor behavior [10]. The mood is euthymic and no retardation can be seen in her mimics.…”