Homovanillic acid sulfate is used as a reagent to detect oxidative enzymes, and is associated with dopamine levels in the brain.In psychiatry and neuroscience, brain and cerebrospinal fluid levels of homovanillic acid are measured as a marker of metabolic stress caused by 2-deoxy-D-glucose. Homovanillic acid sulfate presence supports a diagnosis of neuroblastoma and malignant pheochromocytoma.