[Neurochemical and neurotransmitter studies in patients with learning disabilities].

Abstract

To clarify the pathophysiology of learning disability (LD), we measured the urinary levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol (MHPG), and phenylethylamine (PEA) in urine samples collected in a 24 hour period. Findings were compared with those obtained in age-matched controls and diseased controls including patients with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), infantile autism, and mental retardation. The mean urinary level of MHPG in LD (n = 6) were not significantly different from those in ADHD (n = 16), mental retardation (n = 4), infantile autism (n = 5), and the controls (n = 6), while the mean urinary levels of PEA were significantly lower in LD (n = 6, 91 +/- 17.3 micrograms/mg) and in ADHD (n = 5, 65 +/- 53.6 micrograms/mg) as compared to age-matched controls (n = 3, 340 +/- 264.5 micrograms/mg) ANOVA, (p < 0.05). PEA is considered to play an important role for the pathogenesis of LD and ADHD.

• Authors: T Matsuishi, Y Yamashita
• Journal: No to hattatsu = Brain and development (No To Hattatsu) Vol. 31 Issue 3 Pg. 245-8 (May 1999) ISSN: 0029-0831 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 10355264 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Phenylalanine
• Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol

Topics

• Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (urine)
• Autistic Disorder (urine)
• Child
• Humans
• Intellectual Disability (urine)
• Learning Disabilities (urine)
• Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol (urine)
• Phenylalanine (urine)