Limited Usefulness of EEG as a Diagnostic Aid in Psychiatric Cases Receiving Tranquilizing Drug Therapy

Abstract

Publisher Summary Electroencephalography (EEG) is considered an essential diagnostic tool in the psychiatric setting. The EEG approach has proved to be of definite diagnostic value in cases of brain lesion, although the interpretation of findings, especially those relating to deep involvements, requires a degree of training and competence outside the scope of many psychiatric units. This chapter discusses the usefulness of EEG as a diagnostic aid in psychiatric cases receiving tranquilizing drug therapy. EEG rhythms are often confounded by medication in a manner that renders most EEG findings meaningless with respect to the presence of underlying brain pathology in psychiatric cases receiving tranquilizing drug therapy. Two types of drug-induced changes are discussed in the chapter: (l) EEG slowing as a reflection of sleep in the absence of a satisfactory waking record and (2) EEG slowing that appears in the record independently of the sleep process. In the chapter, tracings reflecting both types of change are presented and 61 consecutive cases are reviewed as to the incidence of each type of slowing. In the chapter, diagnostic problems are discussed and certain concepts of brain function are questioned.