Abstract
THE occurrence of the “pink spot” in the urine of schizophrenics was first reported by Friedhoff and van Winkle1, who tentatively identified the substance as 3,4-dimethoxyphenethylamine (3,4-DMPEA). Subsequent interest in this amine is linked to the possibility that its formation may result from an aberration in the metabolism of the endogenous amine, dopamine, as either a resultant or aetiological factor in mental disorders2. Reports of both confirmatory3–7 and conflicting8–14 nature have appeared with respect to the identity and origin of the “pink spot”15,16. The methods which have been used to isolate and identify the “pink spot”, solvent extraction, ion-exchange chromatography, paper and thin-layer chromatography, counter-current distribution and various colour reactions, have not provided unequivocal identification. Much of the controversy originates from the non-specificity of chromatographic separation and the complexity of amines present in human urine. Indeed, several “pink spot” occur in urine extracts which are isographic in one or more of the solvent systems used to isolate the “pink spot”.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Friedhoff, A. J., and Van Winkle, E., Nature, 194, 897 (1962).
Amines and Schizophrenia (edit. by Hemwich, H., Kety, S., and Smythies, J.), 19–67 (Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1967).
Shulgin, A. T., Sargent, T., and Naranjo, C., Nature, 212, 1606 (1966).
Hollister, L. E., and Friedhoff, A. J., Nature, 210, 1377 (1966).
Bourdillon, R. E., Clarke, C. A., Ridges, A. P., Sheppard, P. M., Harper, P., and Leslie, S. A., Nature, 208, 453 (1965).
Sen, N. P., McGeer, P. H., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 14, 227 (1964).
Kuehl, F. A., Hichens, M., Ormond, R. E., Meisinger, M. A. P., Gale, P. A., Cirillo, V. J., and Brink, N. G., Nature, 203, 154 (1964).
Boulton, A. A., Pollitt, R. J., and Majer, J. R., Nature, 215, 132 (1967).
Perry, T. L., Hansen, S., and Macintyre, L., Nature, 202, 519 (1964).
Perry, T. L., Hansen, S., Schwarz, C. J., Nature, 212, 146 (1966).
Faurbye, A., and Pind, K., Acta Psychiat. Scand., 40, 540 (1964).
Boulton, A. A., and Felton, C. A., Nature, 211, 1404 (1966).
Bell, C. E., and Somerville, A. R., Nature, 211, 1406 (1966).
Closs, K., and Wad, N., Nature, 214, 483 (1967).
Takesada, M., Kakimoto, Y., Sano, I., Kaneko, Z., Nature, 199, 203 (1963).
Studnitz, W. V., and Nyman, G. E., Acta Psychiat. Scand., 41, 117 (1965).
Kuehl, F. A., Ormand, R. E., Vandenheuvel, W. J. A., Nature, 211, 606 (1966).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
CREVELING, C., DALY, J. Identification of 3,4-Dimethoxyphenethylamine from Schizophrenic Urine by Mass Spectrometry. Nature 216, 190–191 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1038/216190a0
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/216190a0
This article is cited by
-
Nachweis und Bedeutung der intermittierenden Ausscheidung von 3,4-Dimethoxyphenyläthylamin (DMPEA) im Harn von Patienten mit akuter Schizophrenie
Archiv für Psychiatrie und Nervenkrankheiten (1974)
-
Nachweis und Bedeutung der intermittierenden Ausscheidung von 3,4-Dimethoxyphenyläthylamin (DMPEA) im Harn von Patienten mit akuter Schizophrenie
Archiv für Psychiatrie und Nervenkrankheiten (1974)
-
Biochemical Research in Schizophrenia
Nature (1971)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
