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Serotonin in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Insights from Human Studies and Animal Models

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The Molecular Basis of Autism

Part of the book series: Contemporary Clinical Neuroscience ((CCNE))

Abstract

Increased blood serotonin in people with autism was first reported over 50 years ago, and this biogenic amine has remained a focus for the understanding, risk and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). There is growing evidence that serotonergic transmission is altered by disparate genetic and environmental risk factors for ASD. This review will focus on recent developments regarding serotonin in ASD. Recent studies include epidemiology studies linking ASD with conditions that alter prenatal serotonin in the fetus, altered serotonin in diverse genetic and environmental animal models, and human pathology and molecular and functional brain imaging studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA

    Natalia Benza MD & Diane C. Chugani PhD

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  1. Natalia Benza MD
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  2. Diane C. Chugani PhD
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Correspondence to Diane C. Chugani PhD .

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  1. Neuroscience and Pharmacology MMC 392, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

    S. Hossein Fatemi

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Benza, N., Chugani, D. (2015). Serotonin in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Insights from Human Studies and Animal Models. In: Fatemi, S. (eds) The Molecular Basis of Autism. Contemporary Clinical Neuroscience. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2190-4_13

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