Decreased cerebrospinal fluid concentration of free phenylacetic acid in depressive illness.
Cerebrospinal fluid free phenylacetic acid concentration in a series of depressive patients was significantly lower than values in control subjects. This acid derives from phenylethylamine and the findings may reflect a decrease in its brain formation. Such a deficit may be related to other recent observations of a decrease in urinary output of the major metabolites of the "trace amines", octopamine and tyramine: phenylethylamine is thought to be the precursor of these "trace amines".
D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010648:Phenylacetates / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D012737:Sex Factors
D010648:Phenylacetates