1 - EEG IN ORGANIC BRAIN SYNDROME

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the use of electroencephalogram (EEG) in organic brain syndrome. EEG has always been utilized in the evaluation of patients with possible organic dysfunction of the central nervous system. The third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-III) divides organic brain syndromes into three categories: (1) delirium, (2) dementia, and (3) specific organic syndromes. In each case, the diagnosis is ascertained by means of the clinical presentation rather than with respect to the underlying organic etiology. Delirium represents an acute or subacute state of diffuse cellular metabolic dysfunction. Its hallmark is clouding of consciousness, often present to a fluctuating degree. Dementia is an insidious neuropathologic process that disrupts higher cortical functions rather than the level of consciousness. DSM-III allows for the presence of a variety of organic brain syndromes that do not include either clouding of consciousness or loss of major intellectual abilities. These disorders include the amnestic syndrome, delusional syndrome, organic hallucinosis, organic affective syndrome, and organic personality syndrome.