Platelet uptake of serotonin in psychotic children

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Abstract
Platelet serotonin (5-HT) uptake was assayed in ten long-term hospitalized children subdivided into two diagnostic groups ‘autistic’ and ‘other psychotic’. Weekly blood samples were taken from these children over a period of 6–7 weeks and serotonin uptake was determined. Constant and significant uptake values (13.28±2.0 pmol serotonin/108 platelets/5 min for autistics and 9.59±1.58 pmol serotonin/108 platelets/5 min for other psychotics) were obtained. There was no correlation with drug treatment or with behavioral fluctuations in individual children. Three weekly uptake assays performed on six parents suggest the possible importance of genetic factors in these diseases. Biochemical-kinetic methodological problems of platelet 5-HT assessment are discussed.