title: Cortical serotonin type-2 receptor density in parents of children with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: Parents (N = 19) of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and adult controls (N = 17) underwent positron emission tomography (PET) using [(18)F]setoperone to image cortical serotonin type-2 (5-HT2) receptors. The 5-HT2 binding potentials (BPs) were calculated by ratioing [(18)F]setoperone intensity in regions of interest (ROI) to cerebellar intensity. Cortical 5-HT2 BPs were significantly lower in parents compared to controls and platelet 5-HT levels were significantly negatively correlated with cortical 5-HT2 BP in parents. Lower cortical 5-HT2 receptor density in parents of children with ASD is consistent with reports of diminished 5-HT2 expression and functioning in individuals with ASD. Further research should examine the relationship of reduced 5-HT2 receptor expression to underlying causation and to clinical and neurochemical correlates of autistic behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada. goldbej@mcmaster.ca
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: George M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Lonnie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zwaigenbaum
authors.forename: Geoffrey B C
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nahmias
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Szatmari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000235:genetics*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D011744:Pyrimidinones; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D044348:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT2 / Q000032:analysis*; D012016:Reference Values; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists
chemical_list: D011744:Pyrimidinones; D044348:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT2; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; C045359:setoperone