Aim: To describe associations of abnormalities in the electroencephalogram (EEG) with the most prevalent diagnoses in a memory clinic cohort. Methods: Associations between visual EEG findings and diagnoses in 1,116 consecutive patients [382 Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 274 subjective complaints, 190 mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 118 psychiatric disorder, 61 frontotemporal lobar degeneration, 53 vascular dementia (VaD), 38 dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)] were determined by prevalence ratio (PR). Results: Diagnoses of subjective complaints [PR = 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.4–1.9] and psychiatric disorder (1.4; 95% CI = 1.1–1.9) were associated with a normal EEG, while subjects with both focal and diffuse EEG disturbances were more likely to have DLB (3.5; 95% CI = 2.1–5.6), VaD (2.3; 95% CI = 1.4–3.6) or AD (1.5; 95% CI = 1.3–1.8). Subjects with only diffuse EEG abnormalities were more likely to have AD (PR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.3–1.9). The prevalence of MCI was higher among those with only focal EEG abnormalities (PR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.0–1.7). Conclusions: A normal EEG argues for subjective complaints or psychiatric diagnosis. An EEG with only focal abnormalities supports MCI. An EEG with only diffuse abnormalities argues for AD. An EEG with both focal and diffuse abnormalities argues for DLB, VaD or AD.

Keywords:
EEG abnormalities, Dementia, Visual analysis, diagnosis
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel
2008
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.