Trace elements

What are trace elements?

Trace elements are essential to the body’s processes. Some trace elements, such as copper, iron, zinc, chromium, manganese, and selenium can be distributed to the brain and influence neural functions. abnormally low or high levels of these elements are detrimental to the brain’s health and the body’s metabolism.

What is the evidence for trace element levels in people with schizophrenia?

Moderate to high quality evidence found medium-sized effects of lower levels of iron in people with schizophrenia. This was most apparent in serum, in Asian studies, in drug-naive/drug-free patients, in patients on antipsychotic medications, in inpatients, in patients with acute or newly diagnosed schizophrenia, in patients with chronic or previously diagnosed schizophrenia, and in males.

Moderate to high quality evidence found medium-sized effects of lower levels of zinc in people with schizophrenia. This was most apparent in serum, in Asian studies, in drug-naive/drug-free patients, and in inpatients.

Moderate quality evidence found medium-sized effects of higher levels of copper in people with schizophrenia. This was most apparent in plasma, in users of first-generation antipsychotics, in males, and in European studies.

Moderate quality evidence found medium to large effect of lower levels of manganese in plasma, and in chronic or previously diagnosed patients.

October 2020

Last updated at: 1:48 am, 29th October 2020
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