Quantitative investigation on the urinary excretion and metabolism of 3,4-dimethoxyphenylethylamine in schizophrenics and normal individuals.

A quantitative method for the detection of DMPEA in urine was developed. It is based on the fluorometric determination of DMPEA in the form of its phosphopyridoxyl derivate. The limit of detection is 2 microgram DMPEA per 1 g creatinine. The DMPEA content was measured in urine from healthy persons, from schizophrenics, and from psychiatric patients without schizophrenia hospitalized with the schizophrenics. From each person five to ten 24-hr urine samples were investigated. DMPEA could be found neither in schizophrenics nor in controls or healthy persons. Finally, the urinary excretion of parenterally applied 14C-DMPEA was determined in three healthy volunteers and in three rats. In man about 25% of the label was excreted as DMPEA. The main metabolite in urine was homoveratric acid. Both compounds were excreted as conjugates.