Serotonin in panic disorder: Platelet uptake and concentration

Abstract

Platelet serotonin uptake and platelet serotonin concentrations were measured in 17 patients (5 males, 12 females) with panic attacks and 15 controls (8 males, 7 females). Higher Vmax values were found in the patient group compared with controls (65 ± 7 vs. 47 ± 3 pmol/108 platelets/min; p< 0 05) while the affinity constant Km was not significantly different (0-6 ±01 vs. 0-5 ± 01 µM). Platelet serotonin concentrations were not significantly different between the two groups (38 ± 4 vs. 41 ± 4ng/108 platelets). These results confirm our earlier finding of increased serotonin uptake in patients with panic attacks and suggest that platelet serotonin levels are normal. © 1989 CNS (Clinical Neuros..