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Pharmacopsychiatry 2000; 33(5): 165-168
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-7588
Original Paper
ORIGINALARBEIT
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Increased Density of the Platelet Serotonin Transporter in Autism

D. Marazziti1 , F. Muratori2 , A. Cesari2 , I. Masala1 , S. Baroni1 , G. Giannaccini1 , L. Dell'Osso1 , A. Cosenza2 , P. Pfanner2 , G. B. Cassano1
  • 1Dipartimento di Psichiatria, Neurobiologia, Farmacologia e Biotecnologie
  • 2Scientific Institute Stella Maris, Division of Child Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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Background: Various data have shown the involvement of serotonin (5-HT) in autism. The presence of the 5-HT transporter in platelets, similar to the same structure located in presynaptic serotonergic neurons, has produced a series of studies aimed at assessing its functionality in this disorder, but the ensuing findings are quite controversial. For this reason, we investigated the 5-HT transporter by means of the specific binding of [3H]-Paroxetine ([3H]-Par), which is currently considered the first-choice ligand for labeling it, in platelets of 20 autistic children and adolescents, as compared with healthy control subjects. Methods: Twenty children and adolescents of both sexes suffering from autism according to DSM IV criteria were included in the study and compared with a similar group of healthy control subjects. Platelet membranes and the binding of [3H]-Par were carried out according to standardized protocols. Results: The results showed a significantly higher density of [3H]-Par binding sites in autistic children than in healthy control subjects. Conclusions: These findings support the presence of a serotonergic dysfunction in autism and would suggest that the 5-HT transporter may have a specific role in this disorder, also in the light of its recently proposed role in brain development.

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MD Donatella Marazziti

Dipartmento di Psichiatria, Neurobiologia

Farmacologia e Biotecnologie University of Pisa

via Roma, 67

56100 Pisa

Italy

Phone: + 39 050/835412

Fax: + 39 050/21581

Email: dmarazzi@psico.med.unipi.it