URINARY AROMATIC METABOLITES IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

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Abstract
The urinary excretion of aromatic metabolites of a group of 50 "acute" schizophrenics was surveyed and compared with a group of 53 non-psychotic control subjects. The increased aromaturia in schizophrenics was due to an increased excretion of indolic substances, not of phenolic acids. No metabolite was found which regularly characterized the urines of schizophrenics. Greater excretion levels of indoleacetic acid, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, indican and urea were observed in the schizophrenic group. The possible significance of these findings is discussed in terms of association with the disease process or the disturbed emotional state of the acutely ill patients.