[Trace elements are found in the living organism in small (trace) amounts and are mainly essential for living functions. Essential trace elements are in humans the chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), fluorine (F), iodine (I), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), and questionably the boron (B) and vanadium (V). According to the biopsychosocial concept, mental functions have biological underpinnings, therefore the impairment of certain neurochemical processes due to shortage of trace elements may have mental consequences. Scientific investigations indicate the putative role of trace element deficiency in psychiatric disorders such in depression (Zn, Cr, Se, Fe, Co, I), premenstrual dysphoria (Cr), schizophrenia (Zn, Se), cognitive deterioration/de­mentia (B, Zn, Fe, Mn, Co, V), mental retardation (I, Mo, Cu), binge-eating (Cr), autism (Zn, Mn, Cu, Co) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Fe). At the same time, the excess quantity (chronic exposure, genetic error) of certain trace elements (Cu, Mn, Co, Cr, Fe, V) can also lead to mental disturbances (depression, anxiety, psychosis, cognitive dysfunction, insomnia). Lithium (Li), being efficacious in the treatment of bipolar mood disorder, is not declared officially as a trace element. Due to nutrition (drinking water, food) the serum Li level is about a thousand times less than that used in therapy. However, Li level in the red cells is lower as the membrane sodium-Li countertransport results in a Li efflux. Nevertheless, the possibility that Li is a trace element has emerged as studies indicate its potential efficacy in such a low concentration, since certain geographic regions show an inverse correlation between the Li level of drinking water and the suicide rate in that area. ]

[“What did Lipótmező mean to you?” My friends and acquaintances asked frequently this question in the past decades, concerning the National Institute for Psychiatry and Neurology or well known as the Lipótmező my past workplace and the role it played in my life thus far. It is difficult to give a short answer, but the three and a half decades I have spent there were certainly of decisive importance in my professional and private life as well. Since I was banned from tobacco smoking due to my disease ten years ago, I cannot keep my pipe in my mouth any more. Thus, I decided to recollect the dearest stories kept in my memory, which had the deepest impact on me during my 35 years in Lipótmező both as a doctor and as a man. ]

[During his long practice as head physician of a neurological and psychiatrical department with over 100 beds performed the examination and department of more than a hundred thousand patients. Based on the acquired experience and the data of the most recent literature he treats every aspect of the apathy syndrome. He emphasizes the multidisciplinary approach during both establishing the causes and the examination and treatment of patients. In order to clarify the diagnosis consultations with other disciplines must be used as well as the the knowledge provided by the now essential CT, MRI, PET, SPECT. The author discusses the international therapeutical possibilities and practice after the recently alredy possible exact diagnosis.]

[Aim of the research: Investigating nurse students’ attitude towards complementary and alternative medicine and their knowledge of and experience with it. Research and sampling methods: 171 Hungarian nurse (57 full time and 114 part time) students participated in our cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Nurse students’ attitude towards alternative medicine is positive. The most known alternative methods were massage, herbal medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, relaxation and meditation. The most used practices were massage, herbal medicine and homeopathy and found them efficient. Full time students used the Internet and part time students used education as information sources. Most students agreed that the integration of alternative methods into health care would be effective, and it should be taught in higher education. Conclusions: Nursing student would get reliable knowledge by integrating alternative medicine into higher education system and it takes their work more effective. ]