Mean fasting plasma homovanillic acid (HVA) levels were elevated in fe
males hospitalized with eating disorders (both anorexia and bulimia ne
rvosa) compared with females hospitalized with adjustment disorder. Fa
sting plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) was elevated in an
orectic patients only. Five patients with eating disorder and psychosi
s had higher values for HVA and MHPG than the remainder of the patient
s with eating disorder.