Low platelet-poor plasma levels of serotonin in adult autistic patients.
BACKGROUND
Hyperserotonemia has been reported in about a third of autistic patients. However, most studies have examined whole blood levels of serotonin (5-HT), the vast majority of which is found in platelets. The aim of this study was to determine 5-HT levels in platelet-poor plasma (PPP) in a group of adult patients with autism.


METHODS
Levels of PPP 5-HT were compared between 10 adult drug-free autistic patients and 12 healthy controls. The Ritvo-Freeman Real-Life Rating Scale and the Overt Aggression Scale (OAS) were administered to the autistic group as a measure of symptom severity.


RESULTS
Significantly lower PPP 5-HT levels were observed in the autistic group as compared to the controls (p = 0.03). In addition, PPP 5-HT levels were inversely correlated with OAS scores among subjects with autism (r = -0.64, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
PPP 5-HT ('free') levels appear to be low in autistic patients and may play a role in the pathophysiology and symptomatology of the disorder.
Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. spivakb@post.tau.ac.il
Baruch
B
Spivak
Pavel
P
Golubchik
Tamar
T
Mozes
Yaffa
Y
Vered
Allon
A
Nechmad
Abraham
A
Weizman
Rael D
RD
Strous
D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000523:psychology; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004563:Electrochemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*
D012701:Serotonin