title: [Platelet serotonin as a biological marker of autism].
abstract: Platelet levels of serotonin were determined by a quantitative direct radioimmunoassay, in a group of autistic patients and a control group. Thirty six autistic patients (28 males and 8 females), all with severe mental retardation, and a group of 23 matched controls, were studied. The serotonin levels in autistic patients (mean +/- SD) (88.37 mmol/dl +/- 40.38) were significantly higher that in the control group (49.54 mmol/dl +/- 16.49). There were no significant differences in levels between the sexes and age groups among subjects in the patient and the control groups. We detected a hyperserotoninaemia in 70% of the autistic patients. We also discuss correlations between serotonin levels in our patients with known aetiologies and levels quoted in the literature and propose RIA to be used as a quick, easy and reliable method for the analysis of large numbers of samples.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Genética, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Universidade de Lisboa.
authors.forename: P Q
authors.initials: PQ
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Bicho
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000737:chemistry*; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012701:Serotonin
vernacular_title: Serotonina plaquetária como marcador biológico de autismo.