INDEXES OF PLATELET SEROTONINERGIC SYSTEM AND OF THE SYSTEM OF NERVE GROWTH-FACTOR IN CHILDREN WITH HEREDITARY DISORDERS OF NERVOUS-PSYCHICDEVELOPMENT

Indices of both platelet serotoninergic system and the system of nerve growth factor (NGF) were examined in children with neurofibromatosis (15 patients), polygenic oligophrenia (24 patients) and Rett's syndrom e (14 ones). There was an increase of both the level of blood serum au toantibodies (aAB) to NGF and the value of specific binding of H-3-imi pramine (B-max) in platelets of patients with oligophrenia. For this g roup of patients a significant negative correlation exists between the rate of platelet uptake of serotonin (V-max value) and the degree of mental retardation (r = -0,425, p < 0,03). Decrease of both Vmax and a ctivity of platelet NGF receptors was revealed in patients with neurof ibromatosis. In such patients there was positive correlation between s ensitivity of platelet NGF receptors to NGF (during their stimulation by test dose of purified NGF) and the degree of mental retardation (r = 0,697, p < 0,04). In patients with Rett's syndrome a significant inc rease of activity of platelet NGF receptors to NGF was observed. The c onclusion was made on the existence of some general mechanism of intel lectual defect development. Autoimmune processes considered to be such mechanism.