SEROTONIN AND AMINO-ACID CONTENT IN PLATELETS OF AUTISTIC-CHILDREN

The platelet levels of serotonin and the amino acids aspartic acid, gl utamine, glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid were measured in 18 drug-free autistic (DSM-III criteria) and 14 age-matched healthy chil dren. Serotonin was significantly increased while the amino acids aspa rtic acid, glutamine, glutamic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid were s ignificantly decreased in comparison with the controls. It is suggeste d that the decline of the amino acids in platelets from autistic child ren represents a biochemical marker related to infantile autism.