Correlation of Behavior and Catecholamine Metabolite Excretion

Abstract

In a study of the relationship of sympathetic nervous system activity to behavioral patterns in patients with psychiatric illness, catecholamine metabolite excretion was used as an index of sympathetic nervous system activity. Urine samples corresponding to the periods of the behavioral data were analyzed for metadrenaline [(MA) metanephrine] and normetadrenaline [(NMA) nor-metanephrine]. Lower levels of MA and NMA were seen during periods of calm, controlled behavior, whereas elevated levels of MA and NMA were associated with agitated, unstable behavior.