Serum Creatine Phosphkinase Level in Chronic Alcoholics

Sera from in-patients with chronic alcoholism at the mental hospital were assayed for serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activity, and the valies thereby obtained were compared between a group of 14 patients with such symptoms as delirium tremens, hallucinosis, amentia and seizures and another group of 22 patients with no such psychotic manifestations at all. The data obtained demonstrated significantly higher serum CPK values with the former group as CPK values with the former group as compared to the latter group (P<0.01). A possible mechanism whereby serum CPK activity is abnormally enhanced in chronic alcoholics has been discussed.