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The platelet‐poor plasma 5‐HT response to carbohydrate rich meal administration in adult autistic patients compared with normal controls
Author(s) -
Vered Yaffa,
Golubchik Pavel,
Mozes Tamar,
Strous Rael,
Nechmad Allon,
Mester Roberto,
Weizman Abraham,
Spivak Baruch
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.489
Subject(s) - serotonergic , medicine , endocrinology , autism , meal , platelet , serotonin , receptor , psychiatry
There are cumulative data indicating involvement of the 5‐HT system in autistic disorder. Most studies examining 5‐HT function have focused on whole blood 5‐HT content. The carbohydrate‐rich meal test (CRMT) is a dietary manipulation that could significantly influence platelet‐poor plasma (PPP) 5‐HT levels and reflect the responsiveness of the serotonergic system in ‘free’ plasma. In this study, CRMT was used as an indicator of 5‐HT responsivity in drug‐free adults with autistic disorder ( n = 7), compared with normal controls ( n = 10). The PPP 5‐HT levels were measured at baseline and during 3 h after administration of the CRMT. A significant elevation in PPP 5‐HT levels in adult autistic patients was reached 60 min after meal administration ( p < 0.03 vs control and p = 0.05 vs baseline) and a significant decrease was noted after 120 min ( p < 0.01 vs baseline). In contrast to the biphasic response of the autistic patients, normal controls exhibited a gradual linear increase of PPP 5‐HT levels. Our results indicate that in adult autistic patients, the pattern of PPP 5‐HT responsivity to a dietary challenge of CRMT is dysregulated compared with normal controls and provide further support for the role of 5‐HT in autism. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.