The neurological examination in neuropsychiatry

The neurological examination in neuropsychiatry is as essential as the mental state examination in neurology. The neurological examination includes the whole nervous system and is part of the wider physical examination. Many neurological signs have limited sensitivity, specificity, and intra- and interobserver reliability, so they need to be interpreted in the context of the assessment as a whole. Misinterpretation of the neurological examination can lead to unnecessary investigations and treatment or delay diagnosis and management. A focused neurological examination in neuropsychiatry, however, is essential for patient satisfaction and diagnosis and can be part of treatment. This chapter discusses how to approach the neurological examination in neuropsychiatry.