title: [Plasma zinc and copper levels in boys with oppositional defiant disorder].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Oppositional defiant disorder consists of negativistic, hostile, or defiant behavior, created in one of three domains of functioning (academic, occupational, or social), and lasting at least six months. Alterations in zinc and copper levels of plasma in animals and humans are associated with behavioral and cognitive abnormalities. The aim of this study is to compare plasma zinc and copper levels between children with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma zinc and copper levels were measured in 21 boys with ODD having a mean age of 8.6 +/- 2.0 years and in 24 healthy boys having a mean age of 8.3 +/- 2.1 years by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. An ODD diagnosis was made according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). About 61% of the children with ODD had comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma zinc was significantly lower in ODD children compared to the controls (p < .05). No significant difference in plasma copper measurements was found between the two groups (p >.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present study suggested that the plasma copper level in boys with ODD did not differ from that in normal subjects. Although ODD children had a lower plasma zinc level than normal subjects, the mean plasma zinc level was within the normal range for the population. Further studies investigating the Zn and Cu metabolism in ODD are needed.
authors.forename: Ozgür
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yorbik
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olgun
authors.forename: Pinar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kirmizigül
authors.forename: Serif
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akman
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc