Update: 22 November 2024

hTMA and Disruptive Behavior in Clinically Normal Young Men

Richard E. Struempler, BS, Gerald E. Larson, MS, Bernard Rimland, PhD

Hair mineral samples were collected from 980 young men entering Navy recruit training. Forty of the samples were selected for hair mineral analysis on the basis of three criteria:

Mental test scores
Demerits during training
Premature discharge from the Navy

Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to determine the hair levels of copper, iron, magnesium, zinc, lead, cadmium, aluminum, and calcium. Statistical analysis revealed several significant relationships between the behavioral criteria and the mineral measures.

Significant relationship was found between hair cadmium levels, demerits (p < .01) and reading ability (p < .05).
Subjects with the highest cadmium levels all displayed serious behavior difficulties in recruit training.
High hair magnesium levels tended to earn excessive demerits (p < .01) and be poor readers (p < .05).

These findings confirm the relationship between hair mineral levels/ratios and disruptive behavior previously reported for clinically diagnosed cases.

Richard E. Struempler, B.S., is a clinical chemist and a naval officer currently stationed at Great Lakes, Illinois. Gerald E. Larson is an experimental research psychologist. This paper is based on a Master's Thesis completed by Mr. Larson at San Diego State University. Bernard Rimland is the Director of the Institute for Child Behavior Research in San Diego, California. Bernard Rimland, PhD, Director, Institute for Child Behavior Research, 4182 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116.

Source: https://ldx.sagepub.com/

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