Electroencephalographic abnormalities and 5-year outcome in first-episode psychosis.

Objective: To examine the relation of electroencephalographic abnormalities to 5-year outcomes in first-episode psychosis (FEP).

Methods: Patients (n = 103) had their baseline electroencephalogram (EEG) classified by modified Mayo Clinic criteria. Symptoms and psychosocial functioning were rated after 5 years of treatment.

Persistent psychoses in first episode patients.

This study was carried out to identify characteristics of patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder who continue to have persistent psychoses (15%) for 2 years after initiation of treatment by comparing them to those who maintained full recovery of positive symptoms (42%) up to 2 years. Compared to those in recovery, significantly more patients with persistent psychoses were single, male, had a higher prevalence of drug abuse and abnormal EEG findings at presentation for treatment. Duration of untreated psychoses or untreated illness did not discriminate between the groups.

EEG abnormalities and outcome in first-episode psychosis.

Objective: There is widespread consensus that the EEG is not useful for the detection of clinically relevant abnormalities in patients with psychosis. Given that the EEG records brain dysfunction, this study examines whether an abnormal EEG in first-episode psychosis patients is associated with poorer prognosis, compared with a normal EEG.

Method: At their initial assessment, 61 patients with first-episode psychosis had an EEG classified according to the following modified Mayo Clinic system: normal, essentially normal (that is, one or more elements of questionable normality), or dysrhythmia (grade I to V).