Previous reports have indicated that some depressed patients excrete
less than normal quantities of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol (MHPG). The
authors present data indicating that a subgroup of depressed patients who
excrete less than normal quantities of MHPG may be identified by the
application of explicit clinical criteria. They found no significant
difference in the excretion of normetanephrine (NM), metanephrine (M), and
3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid (VMA) among any of the diagnostic
subgroups or between each patient group and a healthy comparison group.
However, depressed patients diagnosed as having primary affective disorder
and bipolar illness excreted significantly less MHPG than did the healthy
comparison group.Abstract Teaser