400 ALBERT S. MORACZEWSKI 



phopyridine nucleotide (DPN) . It is essential to the meta- 

 bolism of carbohydrates, and its absence can seriously impair 

 energy production. Since almost the sole source of energy for 

 the brain is glucose, it is obvious that anything which interferes 

 with the proper metabolism of this carbohydrate will also 

 reduce brain function considerably. 



The most interesting group of acquired biochemical dis- 

 turbances causing abnormal mental behavior is that arising 

 from the ingestion of a toxic substance. Obviously a great 

 variety of chemical substances can produce toxic symptoms 

 when taken in excessive quantities or by an individual with an 

 idiosyncrasy for a particular compound. Among the inorganic 

 substances must be listed lead,^^ manganese,^* mercury ^^ and 

 bromides.^*' Of these, the bromides are perhaps the best under- 

 stood.^^ For example, an excess of bromide ion in the blood, 

 generally resulting from an excessive use of bromide salts to 

 " quiet the nerves," replaces an equivalent amount of chloride 

 ion in the body fluids. When the concentration of bromide ion 

 reaches 150 mg. per cent,^^ toxic symptoms are likely to appear. 

 These symptoms may range from simple sluggishness and for- 

 ge tfulness to delirium and hallucinations. In certain predis- 

 posed cases, a pattern of transitory schizophrenia has been 

 known to appear.^^ 



Among organic compounds known to produce behavioral 

 abnormalities are such items as amphetamine, cortisone, ACTH 



** W. T. Haverfield, P. C. Bucy and A. S. Elonen, " The Surgical Treatment of 

 Lead Encephalopathy," Journal of the American Medical Association, CXIV (1940) , 

 2432; R. K. Byers and E. E. Lord, "Late Effects of Lead Poisoning on Mental 

 Development," American Journal of Diseases of Children, LXVI (1943), 329. 



** G. C. Cotzias, " Manganese in Health and Disease," Physiological Reviews, 

 XXXVin (1958), 503-531. 



*^ L. T. FairhaJl, " Inorganic Industrial Hazards," Physiological Reviews, XXV 

 (1945), 182. 



^' M. Levin, " Bromide Psychoses: Four Varieties," American Journal of Psy- 

 chiatry, CIV (1948) , 798. 



^■^ M. Levin, " Toxic Psychoses," in S. Arieti, op. cit., p. 1222 ff. 



^^ Ibid., p. 1224. 



^* M. Levin, " Transitory Schizophrenias Produced by Bromide Intoxication," 

 American Journal of Psychiatry, CIII (1946), 229-237. 



