2026 Volume 2 Issue 1 Pages 343-347
Background: Zinc deficiency is a recognized cause of dyspepsia but is often overlooked in routin e care. In dementia, symptoms such as delusions of poisoning and refusal of food or medication are frequently interpreted as behavioral and psychological symptoms and treated with psychotropic drugs, although nutritional factors may contribute.
Case: An 84-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease developed delusions of poisoning with refu sal of food and medication. Clinical observation suggested altered taste. Serum zinc was markedly low (40 μg/dL). After oral zinc supplementation, delusions subsided, food intake improved, and m edication adherence recovered, allowing reduction of antipsychotics.
Conclusion: Zinc deficiency–related dyspepsia may underlie delusions of poisoning and refusal beh aviors in Alzheimer’s disease. Nutritional assessment, including micronutrients, should be considere d when evaluating psychiatric symptoms in dementia.
