Psychiatric Disorders of Childhood: The Role of Serotonin

Alan Apter, Serena Lynn Brown, Martin L. Korn, Herman M. Van Praag

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The most robust and well-replicated neurochemical finding in this disease is the increase seen in whole-blood serotonin in autistic individuals. The factors influencing WHBS levels in normals include platelet structure and activity, 5-HT synthesis, and monoamine oxidase activity. Differing hypotheses about the hyperserotonemia seen in autism therefore have been related to these three different areas. One method for examining the production rate of 5-HT involves the measurement of the primary 5-HT metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. The dietary precursor of 5-HT is tryptophan, and plasma-free TRP levels are thought to have a major effect on central TRP metabolism and 5-HT synthesis. 5-hydroxytryptophan, the immediate metabolic precursor of 5-HT, crosses the blood-brain barrier and increases central 5-HT availability after oral administration. Interest in 5-HT and autism has also spurred therapeutic endeavors, and a number of treatment studies have been performed. A final provocative line of evidence supporting the indoleamine hypothesis of autism is the finding of 5-HT receptor antibodies in some autistic children.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Role of Serotonin in Psychiatric Disorders
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages215-238
Number of pages24
ISBN (Electronic)9781317839156
ISBN (Print)9780876305898
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2023
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 1991 by Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.

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