TY - JOUR T1 - Comparison of Serum Zinc Levels between Patients with Schizophrenia and Healthy Individuals TT - JF - Journal-of-Clinical-and-Basic-Research-_YW_PAR_OPEN_JCBR_YW_PAR_CLOSE_ JO - Journal-of-Clinical-and-Basic-Research-_YW_PAR_OPEN_JCBR_YW_PAR_CLOSE_ VL - 4 IS - 3 UR - http://jcbr.goums.ac.ir/article-1-273-en.html Y1 - 2020 SP - 34 EP - 39 KW - Zinc KW - Schizophrenia KW - Trace elements KW - Mental disorder N2 - Background and objectives: Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental disorder characterized by disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions. Zinc is a neuroactive element released in synapses during neuronal activity and is required for proper functioning of the nervous system, particularly the brain. Serum and tissue concentrations of zinc may reflect various physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Evidence suggests a link between zinc level and development of schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to compare serum zinc levels between patients with schizophrenia and healthy individuals. Methods: This case-control study was performed on 55 patients (37 men and 18 women) with schizophrenia who were hospitalized in 5 Azar Hospital in Gorgan (Iran) and 55 healthy individuals. The case subjects were selected based on convenience sampling method using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), while the control subjects were enrolled based on the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). The groups were matched in terms of age and gender. Serum concentration of zinc was measured using a commercial colorimetric assay kit (5-Br-PAPS method). Results: Serum zinc concentration did not differ significantly between the patients and the controls (P=0.93). In schizophrenic patients, there was a significant, negative correlation between age and serum zinc concentration (r=-0.298, P=0.027). In both patients and controls, serum zinc level was significantly higher in men than in women (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results, it is recommended to pay more attention to the diet of patients with schizophrenia. M3 10.52547/jcbr.4.3.34 ER -