Table 2 Mineral elements levels (µg/g) in plasma samples of the study participants, reported as mean ± SD and (range) according to the intellectual disability status measured by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale test. (HC = healthy control; MID = moderate intellectual disabilities

Elemental decrease (⬇)

 Al

4.5 ± 2.8

2.9 ± 1.8

0.001

 Na

31.7 ± 4.7

18.2 ± 2.8

0.001

 K

6.8 ± 4.6

4.7 ± 2.5

0.001

 Zn/Cu ratio

0.69 ± 0.11

0.41 ± 0.18

0.001

 Cu

116.3 ± 8.3

89.3 ± 12.8

0.001

Elemental increase (⬆)

 Zn

25.7 ± 3.1

36.5 ± 9.7

0.001

 Fe

3.75 ± 2.8

8.7 ± 4.3

0.001

 Hg

0.85 ± 0.89

1.7 ± 0.42

0.001

 Pb

0.21 ± 0.12

0.42 ± 0.13

0.001

 Ca

6.2 ± 1.5

8.7 ± 1.3

0.001

 Cr

22.3 ± 4.6

31.1 ± 2.4

0.001

 Mg

1.5 ± 1.1

2.9 ± 0.86

0.001

 Ni

2.7 ± 0.25

4.2 ± 1.5

0.001

 Mn

0.18 ± 0.120

0.95 ± 1.14

0.001