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Brief report: Platelet-poor plasma serotonin in autism
George M Anderson1, Margaret E Hertzig, P A McBride
1Departments of Child Psychiatry & Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 S Frontage Rd, New Haven, CT 06520, USA. george.anderson@yale.edu
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|October 8, 2011
Summary
Autism is linked to higher serotonin levels in platelets. This study found that increased exposure to serotonin is unlikely, suggesting the issue lies within how platelets handle serotonin.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Developmental Disorders
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is frequently associated with hyperserotonemia, characterized by elevated serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) levels.
- Two primary hypotheses for platelet hyperserotonemia in ASD include altered platelet serotonin handling or increased systemic exposure to serotonin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether increased platelet-poor plasma (PPP) 5-HT levels, indicative of in vivo platelet exposure, contribute to hyperserotonemia in individuals with autism.
- To differentiate between the two main hypotheses by assessing platelet exposure versus platelet handling of serotonin.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of platelet-poor plasma (PPP) serotonin (5-HT) concentrations in individuals with autism, a hyperserotonemic subgroup, and typically developing controls.
- Statistical analysis of PPP 5-HT levels across the defined groups.
Main Results:
- Mean PPP 5-HT concentrations were comparable across the autism group (0.86 ± 0.53 nM), the hyperserotonemic subgroup (0.87 ± 0.43 nM), and the control group (0.86 ± 0.36 nM).
- No significant difference in PPP 5-HT levels was observed, indicating similar in vivo exposure to serotonin across all groups.
Conclusions:
- The findings do not support the hypothesis that increased platelet exposure to serotonin causes hyperserotonemia in autism.
- The results strengthen the likelihood that alterations in the platelet's intrinsic handling of serotonin are the primary factor contributing to hyperserotonemia in autism.
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