Phenylethylamine metabolism in Tourette's syndrome.
Beta-phenylethylamine, phenylalanine, and phenylacetic acid were examined in 24-hour urine samples and/or plasma samples obtained from 28 medication-free patients with Tourette's syndrome and 20 control subjects matched for age and education. Statistical analyses revealed that Tourette patients had lower plasma phenylalanine and urinary free beta-phenylethylamine compared with the controls, but did not differ on urinary total levels of phenylacetic acid. Fifty percent of the Tourette patients had a urinary beta-phenylethylamine level that was lower than the lowest control subject. In addition, urinary beta-phenylethylamine levels were inversely related to several scores from the Tourette Syndrome Global Scale. These data suggest that abnormalities in synthesis or metabolism of beta-phenylethylamine may be involved in the etiology of some patients with Tourette's syndrome.
Bornstein
R A
RA
Department of Psychiatry, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
Baker
G B
GB
Carroll
A
A
King
G
G
Ashton
S
S
D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000652:urine*; D010648:Phenylacetates / Q000652:urine; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000652:urine; D012016:Reference Values; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000652:urine*; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000652:urine
D010627:Phenethylamines; D010648:Phenylacetates; C029261:phenethylamine; D014443:Tyrosine; D010649:Phenylalanine; C025136:phenylacetic acid