Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 27, 2026

Conscious and Non-conscious Representations of Emotional Faces in Asperger's Syndrome
Published on: July 31, 2016
Decreased platelet serotonin concentration in Alzheimer's disease with involuntary emotional expression disorder
Tatjana Prokšelj1, Aleš Jerin2, Dorotea Muck-Seler3
1Psychiatric Hospital Begunje, Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit, Begunje na Gorenjskem 55, 4275 Begunje na Gorenjskem, Slovenia.
Abstract:
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder manifested by progressive decline in cognitive functions. A variety of behavioral disturbances appear very often in AD which might be associated with altered function of serotoninergic system. The aim of the study was to determine platelet serotonin (5-HT) concentrations in 49 patients with AD (NINCDS-ADRDA and DSM-IV-TR criteria) subdivided in three groups: (a) patients with aggressive behavior, (b) patients with involuntary emotional expression disorder (IEED) and (c) patients without aggression or IEED (controls). Platelet 5-HT concentrations were measured using ELISA. Platelet 5-HT concentrations were significantly lower in patients with AD and co-existing IEED compared to AD patients with aggressive behavior or control patients. No significant difference in platelet 5-HT concentrations was found between patients expressing aggressive behavior and controls. Our results suggest disruptions in serotoninergic system in AD patients with comorbid IEED but not with aggressive behavior and support the presumption that platelet 5-HT concentration is a suitable and easy measured peripheral indicator of some behavioral and psychological symptoms of AD.
Related Concept Videos
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ...
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Dementia l: Introduction

