Is There Evidence in the EEG for Increased Epileptiform Activity in ICD-10 Acute and Transient Psychotic Disorder?

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine whether there is electroencephalographic evidence for an increased epileptiform activity in the EEG of ICD-10 acute and transient psychotic disorders (ATPD; F23) as a hint for a closer relationship to epilepsy. METHODS: We analyzed the EEGs of 39 inpatients with ATPD, comparing them with 'positive' schizophrenic and bipolar schizoaffective controls matched for age and gender. The evaluation was performed visually and qualitatively using a rating scale of demonstrated reliability. RESULTS: We found no indication of an increased incidence of epileptiform discharges in ATPD compared with 'positive' schizophrenic and bipolar schizoaffective controls. CONCLUSION: The hypothesis of a relationship between ATPD and epilepsy could not be confirmed by EEG findings.