Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Douyon, R. Articles by Milanes, F. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Douyon, R. Articles by Milanes, F. Other Addictive Disorders Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Subtle Neurological Deficits and Psychopathological Findings in Substance-Abusing Homeless and Non-Homeless Veterans

Received January 31, 1997; revised June 21, 1997; accepted July 1, 1997. From the Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida. Address correspondence to Dr. Douyon, University of Miami School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry at Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center (116A), 1201 NW 16th Street, Miami, FL 33125.

This study evaluated the hypothesis that homeless individuals would display higher levels of neurological deficits than non-homeless individuals, particularly in frontal lobe or executive functions. Eighteen acutely homeless, 15 chronically homeless, and 20 non-homeless individuals admitted to an inpatient psychiatric service received a battery of neurological and psychosocial measures. In comparison to non-homeless subjects with comparable levels of psychopathology, homeless individuals showed higher levels of hostility, prior criminal activity, and family history of psychiatric illness, but lower levels of depression. A positive relationship between hostility and neurological soft signs was observed among chronically homeless subjects. These results suggest that a substantial subset of nonpsychotic homeless veterans suffers from "occult" neurological deficits.

Key Words: Substance Abuse • Frontal Lobe • Homelessness

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. M. Assadi, M. Noroozian, S. V. Shariat, O. Yahyazadeh, M. Pakravannejad, and S. Aghayan Neurological Soft Signs in Mentally Disordered Offenders J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci, November 1, 2007; 19(4): 420 - 427. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Spence, R. Stevens, and R. Parks Cognitive dysfunction in homeless adults: a systematic review J R Soc Med, August 1, 2004; 97(8): 375 - 379. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 1998 American Neuropsychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us