Whole blood serotonin in autistic and normal subjects.
Whole blood serotonin and tryptophan were measured in 87 normal subjects and in 40 autistic subjects. Whole blood serotonin concentrations (mean +/- SE) were significantly higher in drug-free (N = 21) autistics (205 +/- 16 ng/ml) than in normals (136 +/- 5.4 ng/ml). The Gaussian distribution of serotonin levels in the unmedicated autistic group suggests the elevation was not due to a subgroup of autistic subjects. Autistics medicated with anticonvulsants or neuroleptics had significantly lower serotonin levels than did drug-free autistic subjects. Whole blood tryptophan levels and platelet counts were similar in the autistic and normal groups. The possible causes of the hyperserotonemia of autism are discussed.
Anderson
G M
GM
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06525.
Freedman
D X
DX
Cohen
D J
DJ
Volkmar
F R
FR
Hoder
E L
EL
McPhedran
P
P
Minderaa
R B
RB
Hansen
C R
CR
Young
J G
JG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013881:Thioridazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000097:blood
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan; D006220:Haloperidol; D013881:Thioridazine