Commentary on "Platelet Studies in Autism Spectrum Disorder Patients and First-Degree Relatives"

George M Anderson; Edwin H Cook Jr

doi:10.1186/s13229-016-0086-8

Commentary on "Platelet Studies in Autism Spectrum Disorder Patients and First-Degree Relatives"

Mol Autism. 2016 Mar 29:7:20. doi: 10.1186/s13229-016-0086-8. eCollection 2016.

Authors

George M Anderson¹, Edwin H Cook Jr²

Affiliations

¹ Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 South Frontage Rd., 06519 New Haven, CT USA ; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT USA.
² Institute for Juvenile Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA.

Abstract

We comment on the recent report entitled "Platelet Studies in Autism Spectrum Disorder Patients and First-Degree Relatives" [Molecular Autism 2015;6:57]. We find it commendable that the authors have investigated platelet factors potentially involved in the well-replicated observation of platelet hyperserotonemia in autism. However, we believe the results need a fuller discussion in the context of prior studies, think that certain aspects of the interpretation need to be reassessed, and attempt to provide a framework for further research in this area.

Keywords: 5-HT; Autism; Hyperserotonemia; Platelet aggregation; Platelet count; Platelet functioning; Platelet release; Serotonin.

Publication types

Comment
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't