hyperserontoninemia and altered immunity in Autism

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J Autism Dev Disord. 2006 Apr 13; [Epub ahead of print] Links

Hyperserotoninemia and Altered Immunity in Autism.

Burgess NK, Sweeten TL, McMahon WM, Fujinami RS.

Department of Neurology, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, 3R330 SOM, Salt

Lake City, UT, 84132-2305, USA, .Fujinami@....

One of the most consistent biological findings in autism is elevated whole blood

serotonin (5-HT) levels found in about 1/3 of cases. Immune abnormalities are

also commonly observed in this disorder. Given 5-HT's role as an

immunomodulator, possible connections between 5-HT and immune abnormalities in

autism are explored in this review. Areas of focus include hyperserotoninemia

and cellular immune function, autoantibodies to 5-HT receptors, and 5-HT's role

in autoimmunity. Further research is needed to determine the interactions

between neuropsychiatric and immune dysfunction in autism and related disorders.