Endocrinological Analyses of Mental Disorders in Adolescence: Changes of Steroid Metabolite (Urinary 17KS) Levels in the Urine

Adolescence is expected to have different endocrinological patterns from adults. In this study, we monitered the urinary 17KS fractions of healthy adolescent volunteers (12-18 years old) and patients with psychological disorders (13-18 years old). The ratio of androsterone to etiocholanolone (A/E) in the male adolescent volunteers was nearly the same as that in adult males, and A/E in the female adolescent volunteers was lower than adult females. The ratios in adolescent patients did not differ significantly from the levels in the normal volunteers, but there was a clear tendency between patients' symptoms and level of A/E : patients with higher A/E had aggressive symptoms (e.g., violence to family), and patients with lower A/E had such symptoms as anxiety, depression, common neurosis, and dissociative disorders. In order to evaluate the patient's true condition, a physically index which represents different mental state should be established. Urinay fractions 17KS and A/E could be useful in understanding the mental conditions of patients and in prescribing appropriate therapy.

Periodical psychosis

Adolescence

Urinary 17KS

Androsterone

Etiocholanolone