This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Correction  • Reply to article  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

Results of a Pilot Study

P. Anne McBride, MD; George M. Anderson, PhD; Margaret E. Hertzig, MD; John A. Sweeney, PhD; Jacob Kream, PhD; Donald J. Cohen, MD; J. John Mann, MD

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1989;46(3):213-221.

Abstract
• Altered serotonergic function has been postulated to exist in autistic disorder. Central serotonergic responsivity was assessed with a neuroendocrine challenge test in seven male young adults with autistic disorder and in seven age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Binding indexes and physiologic responsivity of the platelet serotonin-2 (5-HT₂) receptor complex were also measured, as was whole-blood serotonin content. Compared with controls, autistic subjects had substantially blunted prolactin release in response to a 60-mg oral dose of fenfluramine hydrochloride, an indirect serotonin antagonist. Furthermore, the magnitude of serotonin-amplified platelet aggregation, mediated by the platelet 5-HT₂ receptor complex, was reduced in the autistic group, as was the mean number of platelet 5-HT₂ receptor sites. Among autistic subjects, fenfluramine-induced prolactin release correlated positively with the serotonin-amplified platelet aggregation response and negatively with whole-blood serotonin content. The results of the present study are compatible with the hypothesis that central serotonergic responsivity is decreased in male autistic young adults. Correlations between central and peripheral serotonergic measures in autistic subjects suggest that systemic alterations in serotonergic function may occur in autism.

Author Affiliations
From the Laboratory of Psychopharmacology and the Department of Psychiatry, Cornell University Medical College, New York (Drs McBride, Hertzig, Sweeney, Kream, and Mann) and the Yale Child Study Center, Yale University Medical School, New Haven, Conn (Drs Anderson and Cohen).

Footnotes
Accepted for publication May 23, 1988.

Reprint requests to Department of Psychiatry, The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, 525 E 68th St, New York, NY 10021 (Dr McBride).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Cortical Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptor Binding and Social Communication in Adults With Asperger's Syndrome: An in Vivo SPECT Study
Murphy et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2006;163:934-936.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Pseudo-random number generation in children with high-functioning autism and Asperger's disorder: Further evidence for a dissociation in executive functioning?
Rinehart et al.
Autism 2006;10:70-85.
ABSTRACT  

Systematic review of randomized controlled trials of atypical antipsychotics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for behavioural problems associated with pervasive developmental disorders
Dinca et al.
J Psychopharmacol 2005;19:521-532.
ABSTRACT  

Positron Emission Tomography of Regional Brain Metabolic Responses to a Serotonergic Challenge and Lethality of Suicide Attempts in Major Depression
Oquendo et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2003;60:14-22.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A neurobehavioral examination of individuals with high-functioning autism and Asperger's disorder using a fronto-striatal model of dysfunction.
Rinehart et al.
Behav Cogn Neurosci Rev 2002;1:164-177.
ABSTRACT  

Fluorine Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Measurement of Brain Fluvoxamine and Fluoxetine in Pediatric Patients Treated for Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Strauss et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2002;159:755-760.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Relationship between 5-HT function and impulsivity and aggression in male offenders with personality disorders
DOLAN et al.
Br. J. Psychiatry 2001;178:352-359.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Psychopharmacology in Autism
Tsai
Psychosom. Med. 1999;61:651-665.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Autism and Secretin
Unis
AAP Grand Rounds 1999;2:15-16.
FULL TEXT  

Decreased Serotonin Function in Bulimia Nervosa
Jimerson et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1997;54:529-534.
ABSTRACT  

Pentoxifylline: Brief Review and Rationale for Its Possible Use in the Treatment of Autism
Gupta et al.
J Child Neurol 1996;11:501-504.
 

Autism Research: Bringing Together Approaches to Pull Apart the Disorder
McBride et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1996;53:980-983.
ABSTRACT  

Effects of Tryptophan Depletion in Drug-Free Adults With Autistic Disorder
McDougle et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1996;53:993-1000.
ABSTRACT  

A Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Fluvoxamine in Adults With Autistic Disorder
McDougle et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1996;53:1001-1008.
ABSTRACT  

Serotonin and Human Myoclonus: Rationale for the Use of Serotonin Receptor Agonists and Antagonists
Pranzatelli
Arch Neurol 1994;51:605-617.
ABSTRACT  

A Double-blind Comparison of Clomipramine, Desipramine, and Placebo in the Treatment of Autistic Disorder
Gordon et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1993;50:441-447.
ABSTRACT  

Relationship Between Central and Peripheral Serotonin Indexes in Depressed and Suicidal Psychiatric Inpatients
Mann et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 1992;49:442-446.
ABSTRACT