KATECHOLAMIN-ASSAY

The present invention relates to the analysis of catecholamines. In particular, the invention relates to affinity extraction and detection and/or quantification of catecholamines. One method comprises binding of at least one catecholamine to a cis-diol specific affinity medium, acylating the catecholamine, releasing the catecholamine from the cis-diol specific affinity medium, adding a substance that blocks the rebinding of the catecholamine to the cis-diol specific affinity medium, O-methylating the catecholamine and analyzing the catecholamine by radio or enzyme immunoassay. Additionally, a reaction vessel suitable for the use in the methods is described comprising a cis-diol specific affinity medium and a catecholamine or secondary antibody linked to the reaction vessel. Furthermore a kit is described for performing the method as outlined above.