PLATELET SEROTONIN TRANSPORTER IN CELIAC-DISEASE

We investigated a peripheral serotonergic marker, i.e. platelet tritia ted imipramine (H-3-IMI) binding sites, which are part of the 5-HT tra nsporter complex similar to that present in the brain, in 20 patients affected by coeliac disease (CD), as compared with 20 healthy controls . Platelet membranes and H-3-IMI binding were carried out according to a standardized protocol. The results showed that coeliac patients had significantly lower H-3-IMI binding sites than controls. This finding would suggest the presence of a dysfunction at the level of the 5-HT transporter that might underline the psychic disturbances frequently o bserved in coeliac patients.