The effect of electric acupuncture treatment on urinary MHPG-sulphate excretion in unmedicated schizophrenics

The daily urinary excretion of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol sulphate (MHPG-SO4) was determined before and during the course of electric acupuncture treatment (EAT) in eight unmedicated schizophrenic patients. The mean excretion of MHPG-SO4 before treatment was 1439 +/- 74 micrograms/24 hr. EAT was administered once daily and continued for two weeks. The urinary MHPG-SO4 excretion steadily increased during the course of EAT. The mean values obtained during the first and second weeks of treatment were 1712 +/- 108 micrograms/24 hr and 1920 +/- 81 micrograms/24 hr respectively, each being significantly higher than the mean value obtained before EAT.