Urinary Excretion of 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid, Serotonin and 6-Sulphatoxymelatonin in Normoserotonemic and Hyperserotonemic Autistic Individuals

Abstract

The catabolism of 5-HT does not differ in the groups, but greater exposure of the platelet to 5-HT cannot be ruled out as a cause of the platelet hyperserotonemia of autism. Although only trend level significant, the data point to a need for larger studies to examine more thoroughly the relationships between platelet hyperserotonemia, gut 5-HT synthesis and melatonin production.