Excretion of catecholamines and exacerbation of symptoms in schizophrenic patients

Excretion of catecholamines and vanilmandelic acid along with certain aspects of behavior were monitored in 9 schizophrenic patients over a period of several months. During this time they were fed a carefully controlled normal diet or one with a low content of tryptophan and methionine. No psychoactive drugs were administered. During periods of increased psychotic activity norepinephrine and epinephrine excretion was enhanced. This, however, was due more to the accompanying anxiety and increased motor activity rather than to the exacerbations of psychotic symptoms. When the patients consumed the diet low in methionine increased excretions of dopamine were observed. It was tentatively suggested that this rise may be reflection of an altered metabolism of this compound.