Hyperserotonemia is the most consistent serotonin-related finding in autism. The basis of this phenomenon, and its relationship
to the central serotonergic dysfunction remains unclear. Platelet serotonin level (PSL) in 53 autistic adults and 45 healthy
controls was measured. Mean PSL in autistic group (75.7 ± 37.4 ng/μL) was significantly higher than the control sample (59.2 ± 16.2 ng/μL)
due to a presence of hyperserotonemic subjects which comprised 32% of the patients. PSL of autistic subjects did not correlate
with the severity of symptoms, as measured by total CARS score, or the degree of mental retardation. However, significant
negative relationship was observed between PSL and speech development, indicating the relationship between the peripheral
5HT concentrations and verbal abilities in autistic subjects.
Keywords Autism - Hyperserotonemia - Platelet serotonin level - Speech development - Verbal communication