[Neuropsychological sequelae after electric accidents]

No investigations have been found in the literature which document how many individuals develop neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric dysfunctions following electric shock. Three cases are reviewed in this article where patients developed neuropsychological dysfunction after electric accidents. The first case report describes a man who developed an amnestic syndrome followed by personality changes and diffuse anxiety after an electric accident. The two other case reports are comparable to the post-concussional syndrome. The patients had difficulty in concentration, psychosomatic symptoms and anxiety reactions. On the basis of the case reports described here, it is important to emphasize that manifest or discrete neurological, neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric dysfunctions may occur as sequelae of electric shock. It is therefore of significance to submit patients of this type to neurological examination and neuropsychological and personality psychological investigations in order to reveal possible neurological and psychological disturbances.