Electroencephalographic Abnormalities and 5-Year Outcome in First-Episode Psychosis

Objective: To examine the relation of electroencephalographic abnormalities to 5-year outcomes in first-episode psychosis (FEP). Methods: Patients (n = 103) had their baseline electroencephalogram (EEG) classified by modified Mayo Clinic criteria. Symptoms and psychosocial functioning were rated after 5 years of treatment. Results: Dysrhythmic EEG was associated with persistence in positive and negative symptoms of psychoses and poorer psychosocial functioning at 5-year follow-up, independently of other characteristics, such as duration of untreated illness or premorbid adjustment. A higher percentage of people with comorbid substance use disorder had normal EEG. Conclusions: Abnormal baseline EEG in FEP is associated with poorer 5-year symptomatic and functional outcome.