Literature concerning indications for EEG and CT scan of the brain in psychiatric patients is reviewed. Solid, quantitative data appear not to be available. From the studies reviewed it can be concluded that routine use of EEG and CT scan is not useful in psychiatry. No convincing arguments were found for different indications in psychiatry compared with somatic practice. The possibility is discussed that electrophysiological and imaging studies will play a more positive role in identifying sub-populations of psychiatric patients in the future.