Abstract
Platelet volumes were measured in 19 autistic, 26 normal, and 6 schizophrenic children with similar blood serotonin concentrations. The groups did not significantly differ in platelet volumes, nor did platelet volumes and blood serotonin concentrations correlate. These results do not support the hypothesis that the hyperserotoninemia in some autistics reflects increased platelet volume.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Amorosi, E., Garg, S. K., & Karpatkin, S. (1971). Heterogeneity of human platelets. IV. Identification of a young platelet population with Se-selenomethionine.British Journal of Haematology, 21, 227–232.
Campbell, M., Friedman, E., Devito, E., Greenspan, L., & Collins, P. J. (1974). Blood serotonin in psychotic and brain-damaged children.Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 4, 33–41.
Corash, L. M., Piomelli, S., Chen, H. C., Seaman, C., & Gross, E. (1974). Separation of erythrocytes according to age on a simplified density gradient.Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine, 84, 147–151.
Corash, L., Tan H., & Gralnick, H. R. (1977). Heterogeneity of human whole blood platelet subpopulations. I. Relationship between buoyant density, cell volume, and ultrastructure.Blood, 9, 71–87.
Douay, O., Debray-Ritzen, P., & Kamoun, P. (1980). Serotonin et tryptophane sanuin dans l'autisme.Annales Biologique Clinical, 38, 243.
Freedman, M. L., & Karpatkin, S. (1975). Heterogeneity of rabbit platelets V. Differential splenic sequestration of megathrombocytes.British Journal of Haematology, 31, 255–262.
Goldstein, M., Mahanad, D., Lee, J., & Coleman, M. (1976). Dopamine-beta hydroxylase and endogenous total 5-hydroxyindole levels in autistic patients and controls. In M. Coleman (Ed.),The autistic syndromes (pp. 57–64). New York: North Holland-Elsevier.
Hanley, H. G., Stahl, S. M., & Freedman, D. X. (1977). Hyperserotoninemia and amine metabolites in autistic and retarded children.Archives of General Psychiatry, 34, 521–531.
Paulus, J. M. (1975). Platelet size in man.Blood, 46, 321–336.
Ritvo, E., Yuwiler, A., Geller, E., Ornitz, E., Saeger, K. & Plotkin, S. (1970). Increased blood serotonin and platelets in early infantile autism.Archives of General Psychiatry, 23, 566–572.
Rotman, A., Caplan, R., & Szekely, G. A. (1980). Platelet uptake of serotonin in psychotic children.Psychopharmacology, 67, 245–248.
Schain, R. J., & Freedman, D. X., (1961). Studies on 5-hydroxyindole metabolism in autistic and other mentally retarded children.Journal of Pediatrics, 58, 315–318.
Spitzer, R. L., Endicott, J., & Robins, E. (1975). Research Diagnostic Criteria.Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 11, 22–25.
Takahashi, S., Kanai, H., & Miyamoto, Y. (1976). Reassessment of elevated serotonin levels in blood platelets in early infantile autism.Journal of Autism and Childhood Schizophrenia, 6, 317–326.
Yuwiler, A., Plotkin, S., Geller, E., & Ritvo, E. (1970). A rapid accurate procedure for the determination of serotonin in whole blood.Biochemical Medicine, 3, 426–436.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported in part by the Max and Lottie Dresher Research Fund, the Bennin Fund, the Clinical Research Center for the Study of Child Psychosis MH30897, and the U.S. Veterans Administration Research Service. The authors are indebted to Drs. Lillian Lesser and Steven Funderburk for help in obtaining blood, to Rachelyn M. Spahr for technical assistance, to Mrs. E. Martin for editorial assistance, and to the UCLA CRC for access to the children used in this study.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Geller, E., Yuwiler, A., Freeman, B.J. et al. Platelet size, number, and serotonin content in blood of autistic, childhood schizophrenic, and normal children. J Autism Dev Disord 18, 119–126 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02211822
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02211822