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. 1987 Nov;28(6):885-900.
doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.1987.tb00677.x.

Whole blood serotonin in autistic and normal subjects

G M Anderson  1 , D X Freedman, D J Cohen, F R Volkmar, E L Hoder, P McPhedran, R B Minderaa, C R Hansen, J G Young
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Whole blood serotonin in autistic and normal subjects

G M Anderson et al. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 1987 Nov.

Abstract

Whole blood serotonin and tryptophan were measured in 87 normal subjects and in 40 autistic subjects. Whole blood serotonin concentrations (mean +/- SE) were significantly higher in drug-free (N = 21) autistics (205 +/- 16 ng/ml) than in normals (136 +/- 5.4 ng/ml). The Gaussian distribution of serotonin levels in the unmedicated autistic group suggests the elevation was not due to a subgroup of autistic subjects. Autistics medicated with anticonvulsants or neuroleptics had significantly lower serotonin levels than did drug-free autistic subjects. Whole blood tryptophan levels and platelet counts were similar in the autistic and normal groups. The possible causes of the hyperserotonemia of autism are discussed.

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