Lesch-Nyhan syndrome: low dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity and diminished sympathetic response to stress and posture.

Patients with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome with virtually no hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase activity demonstrate significantly low plasma activity of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase but normal basal levels of norepinephrine. Under conditions of emotional or postural stress the plasma concentrations of norepinephrine in Lesch-Nyhan patients increased less than in a normal population.