The use of frequency analysis in the interpretation of the EEGS of patients with psychological disorders

A vigilance measurement based on EEG spectra was employed to supplement the clinical data. In an experimental situation when the patient was left undisturbed after a standard stimulation, four typical patterns were observed. Besides the normal profile, a ‘somnolent pattern’ with pronounced vigilance decrease and an ‘unquiet pattern’ with high variance could be seen in treated and in untreated schizophrenic patients, respectively. A combination of both characteristics occurred in depressive patients with symptoms such as agitation, tension, and hypochondria. The outcome of treatment was predictable in the patients with a ‘mixed pattern’, while the drug effect was unpredictable in other patients with the same diagnosis.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

EEG Vigilance Profile as a Supplement of Psychiatric Data

Matouŝek¹

1983

“…The results are in line with findings by other authors (7,9,15,17,18). All the data are shown in tables II and III and figure 1.…”

Section: O M M E N Tssupporting

confidence: 82%

“…Significant differences between schizophrenics and controls have also been found in the delta, theta and alpha frequency bands (14,15,17). Giannitrapani and Kayton (9) and Itil (13,14,16) observed in schizo phrenic patients correlations among the spectral characteristics of the EEG, the syndrome and the therapeutical effects of psychotropic drugs.…”

Section: -23)mentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Many authors state that with the im provement in the schizophrenic symptoms caused by psychopharmacological treatment there is also a reduction of EEG differences as compared with control groups (4,7,17). On the other hand, Shagass underlines the impor tance of the high 'variability of the EEG and the possibility that the variations observed in psychiatric patients might also be caused by factors not related to the disease'.…”

Section: -23)mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Computerized EEG in Schizophrenics

Kemali¹,

Vacca²,

Marcianò³

et al. 1980

20 psychiatric patients without pharmacologic therapy and an homogeneous control group of 19 healthy subjects have been submitted to an electroencephalographic (EEG) investigation. Computerized spectral analyses of the main EEG frequency bands have been performed. The spectra have been determined by some geometrical descriptors: the relative activity, the barycentric frequency and the barycentric radius; also classic descriptors have been used as complementary ones. In the EEG profìle signifícant differences between patients and healthy subjects have been found. Some differences have also been observed among subgroups of schizophrenic patients. The geometrical descriptors applied in the EEG analysis are suggested as a useful method in the description of the basic characteristics of the main EEG frequency bands.

“…Stafford-Clark and Taylor [11] found EEG ab normality in 73% of murderers, especially with motive less slayings, but only 25% abnormality among criminals generally, while the abnormalities found by Hill [12] involved slowing but no epileptiform potentials. Levy [ 13] found a two-fold increase in nonspecific EEG abnor mality among recidivists, while Kennard et al [ 14] found EEG abnormality, mostly slowing, increased among 'psy chopathic' criminals but with no relationship to violence. Small [15] found EEG abnormality in one third of felons but a much stronger relationship (77%) between violent or nonviolent criminality and the presence of seizure his tory.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

EEG and Evoked Potentials in Episodic-Dyscontrol Syndrome

Drake¹,

Hietter²,

Pakalnis³

1992

The neurophysiologic correlates of explosive rage and violence are uncertain and controversial. We recorded 17-channel electroencephalograms (EEGs), brainstem auditory-evoked potentials (BAEPs), and long-latency auditory-event-related potentials (AEPs) in 23 patients with impulsive, aggressive and violent behavior satisfying criteria for episodic-dyscontrol syndrome. Most patients also satisfied criteria for intermittent explosive disorder, although some had had conduct disorders in childhood or had previously used psychoactive substances. Sixteen of 23 patients had normal EEGs, while 7 had diffuse or focal slowing not ascribable to drowsiness or the effects of medication. They differed significantly from 20 age-matched patients with headaches, of whom 1 had an abnormal EEG (χ² = 4.68, p < 0.05), and from 24 depressed patients, all of whose EEGs were normal (χ² = 4.83, p < 0.05). Patients and normal control subjects did not differ in BAEP latencies. N100 and P160 AEP amplitudes were lower in episodic-dyscontrol patients than in control, but the difference was not significant. These findings suggest that nonspecific cerebral dysfunction and EEG changes may be associated with disordered impulse or behavior control. Episodic dyscontrol may be associated with other evidence of minimal brain dysfunction.