Plasma zinc levels were measured in 14 patients with primary affective disorder on admission to hospital; they were compared with plasma zinc levels in group of 14 age- and sex-matched controls. A significant difference in zinc levels was found between the 2 groups. Plasma zinc levels of 9 of the depressed patients on admission to hospital and at the point of discharge were compared; a significant increase in zinc levels was detected.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been linked to genetic defects on chromosome 21 in some families, but most elderly cases appear to be sporadic and may, at least in part, involve environmental risk factors. Several lines of evidence suggest that aluminium may be involved in the aetiology of AD. However, despite universal exposure to aluminium in the diet, only some people develop the disease. We have developed a test of aluminium absorption using an aluminium citrate drink, to examine the hypothesis that sufferers from AD show increased aluminium absorption. In a younger group of AD patients aluminium absorption was significantly raised compared with age-matched controls. Aluminium absorption increased with age in the control group but was not significantly raised in older AD patients when compared with age-matched controls.

In Prudhoe Hospital, a large mental-handicap hospital of 1000 residents, it was found that of the 94 deaths that occurred between 1982 and 1986, three were closely associated with the habit of pica. These deaths occurred in severely and profoundly handicapped males, whose average age was 32, compared with an average age of death of 58 for the combined groups of severely and profoundly mentally handicapped patients (22 cases), and an average age of death of 60 for all degrees of handicap (94 cases). It seems likely that the habit of pica constitutes a cause of considerable morbidity and mortality in certain institutionalised patients.

The study examined the mortality experiences of a population of mentally handicapped in-patients between 1983 and 1987. Demographic data and factors related to terminal illness and cause of death were considered. The findings suggested a continued trend towards increased longevity and indicated a number of groups at risk of early death.

A case of an unusual pica in a patient with anorexia nervosa is described. The patient was also found to have iron-deficiency anaemia. The relationship of mineral deficiency to pica and anorexia nervosa is discussed.