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Peripheral serotonin in Alzheimer's disease
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33101, USA.
Neuropsychobiology
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Platelet serotonin (5-HT) levels are significantly reduced in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients compared to controls. This suggests the peripheral serotonergic system is adversely affected in AD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Platelets are considered a peripheral model of central serotonergic neurons.
- Neurochemical studies indicate decreased serotonin levels in the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that platelet serotonin (5-HT) levels are decreased in AD.
- To investigate potential alterations in the peripheral serotonergic system in AD.
Main Methods:
- Quantified platelet and plasma serotonin (5-HT) levels.
- Compared AD patients (n=22) with age-matched healthy controls (n=20).
Main Results:
- Significantly reduced platelet 5-HT levels observed in AD patients (65.7 +/- 28.41 ng/10(8) platelets) versus controls (112.9 +/- 35.11 ng/10(8) platelets).
- No significant effect on the levels of the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid.
Conclusions:
- Platelet 5-HT levels are significantly lower in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
- Findings suggest the peripheral serotonergic system is compromised in AD.