Further Studies on Platelet Monoamine Oxidase and Phenolsulfotransferase and Plasma Levels of Acid Metabolites in Aggressive and Non-aggressive Prisoners and Children with Attention Deficit Disorders

Abstract

Trace amines are possibly involved in some psychiatric disorders (Boulton, 1980). β-Phenylethylamine, for example, is chemically similar to amphetamine, and can induce behavioural effects in laboratory animals resembling those of amphetamine (Mantegazza and Riva, 1963). Amphetamine abuse in large doses is often associated with homicidal violence (Ellinwood, 19071; Allen et al., 1975). Paradoxically amphetamine can suppress aggressive behaviour (Miczek, 1974) and hyperactivity in children (Arnold et al., 1978). It has been argued that the hyperactive child syndrome and adult psychopathy are related in that a common pathophysiological condition of low CNS arousal states may underlie both conditions (Satterfield, 1978). β-Phenylethylamine has, therefore, become a center of interest in research on mental disorders. Trace amines are metabolized rapidly (Wu and Boulton 1975; Philips and Boulton, 1979; Durden and Philips, 1980). Enzymes involved in the catabolism of the trace amines, monoamine oxidase (MAO) and phenolsulfotransferase (PST), as well as the trace acid metabolites themselves have been analyzed.