Performing the neurologic examination in patients presenting with a psychotic episode may be important to exclude possible secondary psychoses. This is a procedure that is recommended in statements of scientific authorities on this matter, however specific guidelines regarding the enactment and interpretation of the neurologic examination in the psychiatric setting are unavailable or difficult to use in practice. The neurologic examination is also a useful tool in detecting possible side effects of medication, mainly the extrapyramidal effects of antipsychotic drugs.

This work aims to help clinicians detecting evident signs in the neurologic examination, namely signs that suggest a well-defined and located neurologic dysfunction or that are indicative of a specific etiology.

The authors conducted a literature review and elaborated a document that could be included in a the first psychotic episode protocol assessment in order to provide a quick screening of any neurologic disorders in patients who present with psychotic symptoms, allowing a faster and more accurate referral to the specialty of Neurology.

The authors believe this document will be a useful tool in the initial exploration of patients presenting with a first psychotic episode.