Akerfeldt’s use of the ceruloplasmin oxidation reaction in mental patients, followed by initial reports1,2 indicating a high incidence of positive results in schizophrenia, has stimulated interest in further research in this direction.
The purpose of the present study was twofold: 1. The first part was an investigation of the diagnostic potential of the ceruloplasmin reaction in mental disorders. To that effect, data were compiled from several diagnostic groups, and the relationship of results, mental illness, and other variables was explored. 2. The second part of the project was concerned with the study of immediate and delayed effects of electroconvulsant therapy on the reaction and possible correlations between these findings and the outcome of treatment.
Method and Procedure
Technique.—The procedure followed was essentially that of Abood,2 certain changes being made to accommodate the spectrophotometer employed. To 1.0 ml. of 0.1