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Hyperserotonemia in Autism: 5HT-Regulating Proteins

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Comprehensive Guide to Autism

Abstract

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) is a biologically active molecule with many physiological functions in the mammalian organism. 5HT is present both in the brain (central 5HT compartment) and peripheral tissues (peripheral 5HT compartment), in which its synthesis, degradation, and action are regulated by specific enzymes, transporters, and receptors called 5HT-regulating proteins.

Several lines of evidence indicate the involvement of serotonin in the development of autism. First, serotonin regulates many essential functions which are often disturbed in autistic subjects. Second, brain imaging studies have suggested alterations of 5HT synthesis in the brains of autistic children. Third, drugs targeting 5HT-regulating elements efficiently alleviate certain autistic symptoms. Fourth, autism is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder and serotonin has an important role in brain development. Finally, elevated 5HT levels in blood, called hyperserotonemia, have been consistently found in about 30 % of patients.

The mechanisms that lead to increased blood 5HT concentrations, the relationship between high blood 5HT levels and 5HT dysfunction in the central nervous system, and the role of hyperserotonemia in the development of autism are still not understood, but they seem to involve alterations in 5HT-regulating proteins. According to one theory, alterations in peripheral 5HT-regulating proteins can lead to increased 5HT concentrations in the peripheral compartment. During brain development, these high 5HT levels present in blood could reach the central 5HT compartment, inhibit development of 5HT neurons, and lead to the anatomical and functional alterations of the brain, characteristic for autism. According to another theory, alterations in the 5HT elements occur simultaneously in both compartments; those in the central compartment affect early brain development resulting in autistic behavioral symptoms, while those in the peripheral compartment are reflected as hyperserotonemia.

Most research on the dysregulation of the 5HT system in hyperserotonemia and autism has focused on the peripheral 5HT-regulating proteins which influence the level of 5HT synthesis in the intestine, 5HT release from the intestine into blood plasma, 5HT uptake from blood plasma into platelets, 5HT release from platelets, and 5HT degradation in liver and lungs. The research conducted so far indicates increased 5HT metabolism (i.e., synthesis and degradation), increased accumulation (uptake) of 5HT into platelets, and decreased functionality of 5HT receptors (5HT2A) present on the platelet membrane. Fewer studies have been conducted on the central 5HT-regulating proteins, yet they indicate alterations in the central compartment as well. Central 5HT disturbances, although obvious, are far less clear and may involve malfunction of 5HT as both a developmental factor and neurotransmitter.

Further research on large, uniform, and diagnostically clearly defined samples should facilitate the identification of the biochemical correlates of autism, including the role of 5HT-regulating proteins.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Physiology, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

    Dubravka Hranilovic & Sofia Blazevic

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  1. Dubravka Hranilovic
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  2. Sofia Blazevic
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Correspondence to Dubravka Hranilovic .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Westminster, Faculty of Science & Technology, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

  2. Nutritional Sciences Division and Genomics Centre, King's College London, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. Faculty of Society and Health, Buckinghamshire New University, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    Colin R. Martin

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Hranilovic, D., Blazevic, S. (2014). Hyperserotonemia in Autism: 5HT-Regulating Proteins. In: Patel, V., Preedy, V., Martin, C. (eds) Comprehensive Guide to Autism. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4788-7_34

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4788-7_34

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