Neurological Soft Signs in Mentally Disordered Offenders

The study used the Neurological Evaluation Scale to assess neurological soft signs in 351 offenders and 80 healthy comparison subjects. Offenders were also interviewed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV and the Hare Psychopathy Checklist. Neurological signs were significantly increased in offenders compared with healthy subjects. Offenders with repeated misdemeanors had higher rates of neurological signs than those with a single felony. Neurological scores were significantly predicted by lifetime diagnoses of psychotic, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Each diagnostic category was associated with a distinct pattern of neurological abnormalities.