Zinc in schizophrenia: A meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #schizophrenia #zinc

Zinc in schizophrenia: A meta-analysis

Joe et al., 2018 | Gen Hosp Psychiatry | Meta Analysis

Citation

Joe Peter, Petrilli Matthew, ... Weissman Judith. Zinc in schizophrenia: A meta-analysis. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2018;53:19-24. doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2018.04.004

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The role of zinc homeostasis in various psychopathologies is an emerging area of interest. Zinc is strongly implicated in depressive disorders but is inadequately studied in schizophrenia, despite growing evidence of abnormal zinc transporters associated with schizophrenia. A meta-analysis of serum zinc concentrations in persons with schizophrenia was conducted to address this gap. METHOD: PubMed and Embase were searched for all articles published through February 2018 that reported serum zinc concentrations in individuals with schizophrenia and in comparison subjects. A random-effects meta-analysis was carried out to compare mean serum zinc concentrations between the groups in terms of the weighted mean difference. RESULTS: The current meta-analysis combined 10 studies, including a total of 658 schizophrenia patients and 1008 controls. Serum zinc concentration was significantly lower in individuals with schizophrenia than controls (12.81 μg/dl (1.96 μmol/l), t = -2.59, 95% CI: -22.50 to -3.12, p < 0.05). The reduction in zinc levels was more pronounced among inpatients and newly diagnosed, drug-naïve patients. CONCLUSIONS: The current meta-analysis supports a disturbance of zinc homeostasis in individuals with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls, although the relationship between reduced serum zinc levels and psychotic symptoms remains unknown. Altered serum zinc might be linked to defective transporters and/or inflammation that impact the brain's glutamatergic system.

Key Findings

The current meta-analysis combined 10 studies, including a total of 658 schizophrenia patients and 1008 controls. Serum zinc concentration was significantly lower in individuals with schizophrenia than controls (12.81 μg/dl (1.96 μmol/l), t = -2.59, 95% CI: -22.50 to -3.12, p < 0.05). The reduction in zinc levels was more pronounced among inpatients and newly diagnosed, drug-naïve patients.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population schizophrenia and in comparison
Sample Size 10
Age Range See abstract
Condition inflammation

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Schizophrenia
  • Zinc

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: zinc

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09