ARTICLE
Serotonin Relationships of Autistic Probands and Their First-Degree Relatives

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Thirty autistic children and 84 of their first-degree relatives were examined for serotonin blood levels and platelet counts. Among the autistic children, boys have higher serotonin blood levels than girls. Furthermore, autistic boys have higher levels than fathers, but have levels resembling those of their siblings. Autistic girls have lower blood serotonin levels than male siblings. Despite these differences, autistic children and their families have a strong familial resemblance when serotonin blood levels are adjusted for age, sex, and platelet counts.

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