The urinary excretion of the main catecholamine metabolite, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid (VMA), was studied in thirteen patients before, during and after recovery from a depressive illness. The patients were classified independently into two diagnostic groups. Operational definitions of psychotic depression and neurotic depression were made, using diagnostic scales.
Taking the group as a whole there was no significant difference in VMA excretion throughout the periods of study. In four of the patients who showed psychomotor retardation the urinary VMA increased during hospitalization but did not reach statistical significance.
No difference was found in the mean values for VMA excretion in psychotic depressive patients compared with those who were neurotic.
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