Urinary amines in adults with Tourette's syndrome.

Urinary amines and their metabolites were examined in 32 adults who met DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria for Tourette's Syndrome. These patients were compared with a control group that was of similar age and sexual representation. Analyses revealed significantly lower levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol and serotonin as well as the metabolites of several "trace" amines including indoleacetic acid and m- and p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid. These findings persisted when Tourette's Syndrome patients taking medications were eliminated from the analyses. These data are consistent with reports of neurotransmitter abnormalities in children with Tourette's Syndrome. The differences in several trace amine metabolites suggest that the pathophysiology in this disorder is complex and involves a number of neurotransmitter and neuromodulator systems.