title: Hyperserotoninemia and altered immunity in autism.
abstract: One of the most consistent biological findings in autism is elevated whole blood serotonin (5-HT) levels found in about 1/3 of cases. Immune abnormalities are also commonly observed in this disorder. Given 5-HT's role as an immunomodulator, possible connections between 5-HT and immune abnormalities in autism are explored in this review. Areas of focus include hyperserotoninemia and cellular immune function, autoantibodies to 5-HT receptors, and 5-HT's role in autoimmunity. Further research is needed to determine the interactions between neuropsychiatric and immune dysfunction in autism and related disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, 3R330 SOM, Salt Lake City, UT 84132-2305, USA. Robert.Fujinami@hsc.utah.edu
authors.forename: Nancy K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Burgess
authors.forename: Thayne L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Sweeten
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Fujinami
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D012016:Reference Values; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D012701:Serotonin