The Effects of Psychopharmacological Agents on Central Nervous System Amine Metabolism in Man

Age-related changes in catecholamine metabolites of human urine from birth to adulthood

“…Urine represents a cumulative pool of metabolites, resulting from the whole adrenergic activity, i.e. biosynthesis, uptake, storage, release and inactivation of adrenergic neurotransmitters; several authors have suggested that methoxylated amines (MN, NMN, MT) are more related to active catecholamine release (Kehr, 1976;Kopin, 1972) whilst deaminated metabolites (VMA, DOPAC) would rather reflect intraneuronal adrenergic events (synthesis or/and reuptake) (Costa and Sandier, 1972;Maas, 1977). E and MN are considered as good index of adrenomedullary activity (Carpi and Olivero, 1964, for rats;Mornex et al, 1969, for human subjects), whereas in adults, the most part of NE and NMN is usually related to neuronal sympathetic function (Maas and Landis, 1971).…”

“…7). Impaired MAO activity or a defect in neuronal uptake which would orientate metabolism toward the methoxylation pathway (Maas, 1977) might explain such results. No age-related changes have been shown in human platelet or brain MAO studied over five years periods Roth, 1976); in contrast, it has been suggested that COMT metabolic pathway is more efficient than oxidative deamination in human foetus and neonates (Saarikoski, 1974;Brunjes et aI., 1964).…”

Biological component of the NIMH Clinical Research Branch Collaborative Program on the psychobiology of depression: II. Methodology and data analysis

“…Several investigators have reported that a subgroup of depressed patients excrete diminished amounts of MHPG in 24-hour urine, while urinary VMA, NM, and NE in such depressed patients do not differ from controls (Maas et al 19686,1972;Beckmann & Goodwin, 1975;Casper et al 1977;Goodwin & Post, 1975;Maas, 1977). Patients excreting less than normal amounts of MHPG have been reported to respond well to imipramine (Maas et al 1972;Beckmann & Goodwin, 1975) and the high MHPG patients to amitriptyline (Schildkraut, 1973;Beckmann & Goodwin, 1975).…”