Urinary amines in Tourette's syndrome patients with and without phenylethylamine abnormality.
Previous data indicated a subgroup of Tourette's syndrome patients with a beta-phenylethylamine (PEA) level that was lower than all subjects in a control group matched for age and education. The current study compared the subgroups of Tourette's syndrome patients (n = 28) from the previous study with 20 control subjects in regard to other amines and metabolites. Patients with low levels of PEA were also found to have lower levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol, normetanephrine, serotonin, m-tyramine, and p-tyramine. There was also some evidence of dopaminergic abnormalities in the low-PEA subgroup. These data provide suggest a role of PEA in the pathophysiology of some patients with Tourette's syndrome. This effect may be mediated through other neurotransmitter systems.
Bornstein
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RA
Neuropsychology Laboratory, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
Baker
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GB
D000293:Adolescent; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000652:urine*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000652:urine*; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000652:urine*
D001679:Biogenic Amines; D010627:Phenethylamines; C029261:phenethylamine