Serum levels of Cadmium, Calcium, Lead and Iron in Schizophrenic Patients

Abstract

The serum concentration of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) in 30 schizophrenic patients and 30 normal healthy subjects were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The concentrations of Cd, Pb and Ca in schizophrenic disorder patients was not increased significantly (P > 0.05) compared to that of the cohort controls. But the concentration of Fe in schizophrenic patients was significantly different from that of the cohort control (p < 0.000). The change in serum concentration of different trace elements may have some prognostic significance for the diagnosis of schizophrenic disorder. However further work is suggested to examine the exact correlation between trace elements level and the degree of disorder in schizophrenic patients.