engleski

The concentration of trace elements in the hair of people with schizophrenia

Introduction: Differences in the concentration of BE can play an important part in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Oxidative stress and thought disorders, often frequent with individuals with schizophrenia, can be the consequence of an alteration in the level of certain metals. Most studies have confirmed the hypothesis that there are differences betvveen the concentration of BE. Nevertheless, the results have mainly been contradictory. Discrepancies could be partly ! due to insufficiently sensitive analytic procedures, the lack of information on most BE in one sample of biological matrix, or the impossibility of controlling the potentially confusing effects of the nutritive and socioeconomic status, which is lower among individuals with schizophrenia. Hypothesis: There are differences in the concentration of BE and in the main BE samples between individuals with schizophrenia and healthy individuals. Aims: The main aim is to establish the differences in the concentration of 43 BE between the target and the control group comparable by age, sex and permanent residence, The specific aims are to establish the differences in the concentration of each one of 43 BE betvveen healthy population and ndividuals with schizophrenia, describe the main samples of BE. flaterials and methods: The target popula- lon wil! include individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia of both sexes, betvveen 25 Ind 35 years of age, permanently resident in the area of the City of Zagreb, hospitalized in both hospitals. The control group will be made of employees, not affected by psychi- atric illnesses, and homogeneous by age, sex and residence. Samples of hair will be taken betvveen the scalp and the occipital region, cut off and prepared for analysis according to scientific standards. The samples will be analyzed using lnductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry at the Centre of Medical Research in Zagreb. The multielement profile vvill be expressed in micrograms of elements per gram of sample tissue (ng/g). Data about demographic, social, nutritive and clinical parameters vvill be gathered with the help of a questionnaire. Expected scientific contribution: Possible findings on different concentrations and main concentration components of BE vvouid contribute to the better understanding of the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. More sensitive analytical procedures, and data about a higher number of BE in the same biological matrix sample may contribute to understand the contradictory results of former studies.

schizophrenia; trace elements; multielement profile

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