RT Journal
A1 JAY D. M, ELWOOD H. L
T1 URinary excretion of phenolic acids by normal and schizophrenic male patients
JF A.M.A. Archives of General Psychiatry
JO A.M.A. Archives of General Psychiatry
YR 1959
FD November 1
VO 1
IS 5
SP 547
OP 551
DO 10.1001/archpsyc.1959.03590050115014
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.1959.03590050115014
AB It has been reported that schizophrenics exhibit a general “aromaturia.”1-4 The psychotomimetic effects of numerous aromatic organic compounds suggest that schizophrenia may be caused by endogenous production of a psychotogenic metabolite of a naturally occurring aromatic compound, such as phenylalanine, tyrosine, or tryptophan. Confirmation of the finding that the urine of schizophrenic patients contains unusual levels or types of aromatic compounds would favor the hypothesis that schizophrenia is caused by derangement of the metabolism of aromatic compounds, which, in turn, leads to the endogenous production of a psychotogenic agent.The recognition and control of numerous irrelevant variables represent a recurrent difficulty in the study of schizophrenia. As part of a broad research program on the biological aspects of schizophrenia being carried out in this laboratory,5 both normal volunteers and a carefully selected10 group of schizophrenic patients have been maintained in similar environments