BLOOD CHEMISTRY OF SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER INSULIN SHOCK THERAPY

Abstract

Insulin shock has been an accepted form of therapy for schizophrenia for over ten years, and its use is worldwide. Numerous blood chemistry studies have been made on schizophrenic patients in conjunction with insulin shock treatment, but the results have often been variable, leaving the picture confused. The purpose of the present study was to repeat the blood chemistry determinations which appeared to be of significance in the study of schizophrenia from a biochemical angle. Thesc determinations are preliminary to further studies now being carried out in an attempt to link schizophrenia with a biochemical disturbance. It has been felt by many biochemists that schizophrenia is caused by a metabolic disturbance, possibly of a carbohydrate nature, ultimately affecting the brain tissue and leading to the symptoms described under schizophrenia. MATERIAL AND METHODS Attempts were also made to correlate any observed abnormalities in the blood chemistry with the psychic condition of