[The L-DOPA test in patients with obsessive fear neurosis]

Three groups of patients with morbid fear neurosis, dissimilar in prevailing of either adrenaline or noradrenaline excretion, were identified using the complex method of sympathoadrenal system (SAS) examination. The test with 0.1 g L-DOPA loading demonstrated the high rate of synthesis and high reactivity of SAS in the first two groups with the adrenal type of SAS functioning as well as an increased hydroxylation in the course of synthesis of catecholamines. These anomalies were accompanied by impairments of adrenaline metabolism in the second group. A decreased reactivity of SAS in morning crises and elevated reactivity--during day and evening crises were observed in the third group of patients, characterized by the noradrenaline type of the system functioning as well as by presence of noradrenaline crises.