Structural brain scanning in psychiatric patients: a further look.

Abstract

Revised indications based on this second survey were as follow: (1) The importance of new or unexplained focal neurologic signs was confirmed; (2) Scans are useful for bolstering a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer disease; (3) A first psychotic break or personality change after the age of 50 years will require investigation; (4) Cognitive decline in a patient with a prior history of functional psychosis is most likely part of the psychosis rather than a confounding organic disorder; (5) Isolated seizures of long duration or abnormal EEG without other clinical findings are seldom associated with abnormal scans.