PLATELET SECRETION DEFECT IN PATIENTS WITH THE ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER AND EASY BRUISING

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 63  (2) , 427-433
Abstract
Platelet function was evaluated in 12 patients with the attention deficit disorder and lifelong history of easy bruising. Aggregation and 14C-serotonin secretion studies in platelet-rich plasma in response to ADP, epinephrine and arachidonic acid did not reveal striking abnormalities. Secretion of ATP, ADP, .beta.-hexosaminidase and .beta.-glucuronidase by gel-filtered platelets in response to the divalent cation ionophore A23187 and low concentrations of thrombin (.ltoreq. 0.1 U/ml) was impaired in patients as compared to normals. The aggregation response to A23187 (4 .mu.M) was absent in 8 of the 12 patients. The total stores of the secretable constituents, the retention of incorporated 14C-serotonin, and the arachidonate metabolism of the platelets were normal. A new platelet disorder with impaired secretion mechanism, without storage pool deficiency or impaired arachidonate metabolism was suggested. The secretion defect in platelets represents a tissue disorder in a functional psychiatric disease. Attention was refocused on the role of platelets as a model for neurons in functional disorders, with emphasis on secretion mechanisms rather than amine uptake, storage and metabolism.

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