[Blood platelets: neuronal model in psychiatric disorders]

Abstract

There are some evidences to propose blood platelets as a model of bioaminergic neurons. Similarities between platelets and neurons are particularly important with respect to serotonin metabolism but now it is possible to extend this model to other neurotransmitters such as dopamine, GABA, glutamate... The reason for these similarities may be due to the common embryonic origin of these two very different cell types. Some changes of platelet functions are observed in psychiatric syndromes. For example: serotonin uptake, bioamine storage, enzymatic activities are modified in different types of depression and schizophrenia, infantile autism, neurologic diseases (migraine, chorea, Down syndrom). Furthermore, psychotropic drugs also alter the platelet functions. Recently, the discovery of neuro-endocrine disorders in psychiatric diseases has led to the proposal of platelets as a model in neuro-endocrinology. Some arguments can be developed to support this hypothesis. In biological psychiatry, the platelet model seems actually useful essentially in the classification of psychiatric diseases, the management of treatments and the study of new psychotropic drugs. However methodologic difficulties still presently limit the development of this model.