Enhanced calcium response to serotonin in platelets from patients with affective disorders

In this report we have investigated the intracellular calcium (Ca2+) mobilization mediated by serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in the platelets of 13 patients with bipolar disorder and 12 patients with major depression in comparison with 15 healthy control subjects. We found an enhanced intracellular Ca2+ rise in response to 5-HT in platelets from both bipolar patients and patients with major depression. The 5-HT2A receptor-mediated intracellular Ca2+ signaling mechanism may have an important role in the pathophysiology of affective disorders.