Abstract
There is limited clinical interest in the role ofmanganese in the pathogenesis and therapy of disease despite the fact that some research has shown it to be an important trace mineral. One of the reasons for this may be the difficulty in the accurate measurement of Mn concentration in biological fluids with the expertise and expense required. A functional test for Mn status is described based upon the activation ofisocitrate dehydrogenase by Mn. The results obtained from this test are compared with more conventional indices of Mn status, i.e. serum and sweat concentrations. The possible limitations are discussed along with its advantages as a simple and inexpensive screening test.