Homovanillic acid

undefinedHomovanillic acid (HOC6H3(OCH3)CH2COOH; synonyms: 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid; HVA;  4-Hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzeneacetic acid; 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetic acid) is a major catecholamine metabolite. It is used as a reagent to detect oxidative enzymes.

In psychiatry and neuroscience, brain and cerebrospinal fluid levels of HVA are measured as a marker of metabolic stress caused by 2-deoxy-D-glucose.