Creatine Phosphokinase Activity in Newly Admitted Psychiatric Patients

Abstract

Increased serum creatine phosphokinase (C.P.K.) levels have been shown in acutely psychotic patients on admission to hospital (Meltzer, 1968). Little is known about C.P.K. activity in non-psychotic (e.g. neurotic) patients admitted under similar conditions. Psychotic patients have not been compared with non-psychotic patients over a period of time following admission. Examination of a single serum sample for C.P.K. activity in non-psychotic patients at the time of admission has shown no abnormality (Meltzer et al., 1969).

Hypocalcaemic myopathy with paranoid psychosis

“…Elevation of serum CPK has been found in about 50%°of acutely psychotic patients (Meltzer and Moline, 1970;Gosling et al, 1972;Schweid et al, 1972), though Harding (1974) could not confirm these findings; reports differ about whether LDH and/or SGOT are often concomitantly raised. Generally the CPK levels return to normal within a few days to weeks; increased CPK activity has been found in 7.80% of nonpsychotic patients (Meltzer et al, 1971).…”

Creatine metabolism and psychiatric disorders: Does creatine supplementation have therapeutic value?

“…One of the earliest and most robust findings in clinical reports of schizophrenia is the incidence of psychosis-associated creatine kinase-emia (PACK), which refers to a marked spike in serum creatine kinase levels at the onset of acute psychotic episodes (Coffey et al, 1970; Faulstich et al, 1984; Gosling et al, 1972; Hermesh et al, 2002; Meltzer 1968, 1973, 1976; Meltzer et al, 1969, 1970; Martin et al, 1972; Schweid et al, 1972). Studies have reported that approximately half of acutely psychotic schizophrenic patients exhibit muscle-type PACK, though interestingly normal creatine kinase activity is observed in patients experiencing chronic episodes of psychosis (Hermesh et al, 2002; Melkersson et al, 2006).…”

Serum creatine phosphokinase levels and assaultive behaviour of psychotic patients

“…Psychiatric research workers have been interested in CPK activity since Schiavone & Kaldor (1965) first observed higher levels of the enzyme in schizophrenic patients. Subsequent studies have detected elevated CPK levels in acutely psychotic patients with a variety of diagnoses (Bengzon et al 1966;Meltzer 1968Meltzer , 1970Meltzer et al 1969;Coffey et al 1970;Gosling et al 1972). Meltzer's group (1970) found no associations between CPK level and other factors such as medication, plasma cortisol levels, catecholamines, physical activity and weight loss.…”