Simultaneous determination of the three major monoamine metabolites in brain tissue and body fluids by a mass fragmentographic method.

A mass fragmentographic method for the simultaneous determination of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenylacetic acid (HVA), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenylethylene glycol (MOPEG), and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) was described. Deuterated analogues of the compounds were used as internal standards. The specificity was proved by multiple ion analysis. The experimental error was below 7% when applied to the analysis of human lumbar cerebrospinal fluid, urine, or rat brain tissue. In cerebrospinal fluid the major part of the monoamine metabolites occurred in the free form. In rat brain and human urine considerable amounts of conjugated HVA was found.