Clinically unexpected multiple sclerosis in patients with mental disorders. A series of 7301 psychiatric autopsies.

ABSTRACT

Some studies have indicated that silent and perhaps pure mental forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) exist. With the aim of examining that, the records of 9478 autopsies from patients with mental disorders were reviewed. A total of 7252 had both clinical and histological diagnosis, and 7301 had only pathoanatomical diagnosis. Twenty-three patients were suspected of having MS, which were confirmed histologically in 14. None had unsuspected, silent or a pure mental form of MS. It is concluded that the risk of mistaking MS for a psychiatric disorder is small in MS high-risk area.