Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Journal
مجله علوم اعصاب پایه و بالینی
BCN
Medical Sciences
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir
137
journal137
2008-126X
2228-7442
10.32598/bcn
en
jalali
1399
6
1
gregorian
2020
9
1
11
5
online
1
fulltext
en
Comparing Copper Serum Level and Cognitive Functioning in Patients With Schizophrenia and Healthy Controls
Cognitive Neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience
Original
Original
<strong>Introduction</strong>: The altered serum profiles of several trace elements have been reported in Schizophrenia (SCZ). This study was designed to elucidate whether the serum levels of Copper (Cu) and Magnesium (Mg), the two essential trace elements which contribute to neurotransmitter transmission, are altered in patients with SCZ. We also investigated whether there is an interrelation between cognitive functioning and the serum levels of Cu and Mg.<br>
<strong>Methods</strong>: Sixty patients with SCZ and 30 healthy controls participated in this study. The patient group was divided into the following: i) early patients (n=35, ≤5 years of illness initiation), and ii) chronic patients (n=25, ≥5 years of illness duration). The serum levels of Cu and Mg were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy and ion-selective electrode potentiometry, respectively. To assess cognitive abilities, a Persian adaptation of the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) was administered.<br>
<strong>Results</strong>: The present research results revealed significantly higher Cu serum levels in both patient groups [early patients (M=94.6), chronic patients (M=97.5)], compared to the controls (M=71.0) (P<0.001); however, no significant difference was observed among the study groups for Mg [patients with the recent onset (M=2.0), chronic patients (M=2.0), and controls (M=1.9)] P=0.1. While the serum Cu profile of healthy individuals revealed a negative correlation with working memory (r=-0.42, P=0.02), and executive functioning (r=-0.40, P=0.03), no significant correlation was observed between Cu serum levels of patients and BACS cognitive domains.<br>
<strong>Conclusion</strong>: findings suggested that the high Cu serum concentration might impact the cognitive decline in healthy individuals; however, no significant correlation was observed in the Patients; i.e. most likely because cognition is severely impaired in SCZ. Additional studies examining trace elements in drug-naïve patients with SCZ are required.
Cognition, Copper, Magnesium, Schizophrenia, Trace elements, Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS)
649
658
http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-2116-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1
Shahrzad
Mazhari
Smazhari@kmu.ac.ir
13700319475328460029682
13700319475328460029682
No
Neuroscience Research Centre, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Shokouh
Arjmand
lipahoc@gmail.com
13700319475328460029683
13700319475328460029683
No
Neuroscience Research Centre, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Mahin
Eslami Shahrbabaki
mahineslami@yahoo.com
13700319475328460029684
13700319475328460029684
No
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Elham
Karimi Ghoughari
elhamkarimighoughari@gmail.com
13700319475328460029685
13700319475328460029685
Yes
Neuroscience Research Centre, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.