title: Whole blood serotonin and tryptophan in autism: temporal stability and the effects of medication.
abstract: Whole blood serotonin (5-HT) was significantly increased in a drug-free autistic group (n = 17) compared to age- and sex-matched normal control (n = 20). Blood tryptophan (TRP) values and platelet counts were similar in unmedicated autistics and normal subjects; but whole blood concentrations of TRP were significantly lower, and 5-HT values tended to be lower in the medicated group compared to unmedicated autistics. Highly significant intraclass correlation coefficients and low mean percentage differences were found for repeated measures over a year's period of whole blood 5-HT and the platelet count in the unmedicated but not in the medicated group. Blood TRP values were highly variable over time in both the medicated and drug-free autistic groups.
authors.affiliation: Academic Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Minderaa
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Volkmar
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harcherick
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Akkerhuis
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010640:Phenothiazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010640:Phenothiazines; D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan; C031637:phenothiazine; D006220:Haloperidol