Original scientific paper
Platelet Serotonin and Monoamine Oxidase in Alzheimer’s Disease with Psychotic Features
Ninoslav Mimica
Dorotea Mück-Šeler
Nela Pivac
Maja Mustapić
Martina Deželjin
Tamara Stipčević
Paola Presečki
Elizabeta Radonić
Vera Folnegović-Šmalc
Abstract
Post mortem brain studies indicate that alterations in serotonergic and catecholaminergic systems might be associated
with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of the study was to determine serotonin (5-HT) levels and monoamine
oxidase type B (MAO-B) activity in platelets of psychotic and non-psychotic patients with AD, established according to the
NINCDS-ADRDA and DSM-IV-TR criteria. Cognitive impairment and psychotic features were evaluated using Mini
Mental Status Examination and Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Platelet 5-HT concentration and MAO-B activity were determined
spectrofluorimetrically in 116 (51 male, 65 female) healthy subjects and 70 psychotic (10 male, 60 female) and
151 non-psychotic (32 male, 119 female) patients. Psychotic and non-psychotic female and psychotic male patients had
significantly lower platelet 5-HT concentration than corresponding sex matched control subjects. Platelet MAO-B activity
was significantly increased in both male and female non-psychotic patients compared to the sex matched controls.
Non-psychotic female patients had significantly higher platelet MAO-B activity than psychotic female patients. Our data
suggest that platelet MAO-B activity, but not platelet 5-HT concentration, could differentiate between psychotic and non-
-psychotic subtypes of AD.
Keywords
platelets; serotonin; monoamine oxidase; Alzheimer’s disease; psychotic features
Hrčak ID:
24564
URI
Publication date:
13.5.2008.
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