Metabolism of catecholamines in children with Asperger syndrome
In children with Asperger syndrome in aggravated state, we have found a decrease of excretion of norepinephrine and an increase in excretion of homovanylic acid in parallel with a decrease in norepinephrine whereas an increase in homovanylic acid in serum and an increase in excretion of epinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol occurred in parallel with no change in their levels in serum. Imbalance of dopaminergic and norepinergic systems has been observed. In a stable state, a combined analysis of the levels of catecholamines and their metabolites is the most informative