Demonstration of serotonin hypothesis for autism by PET, and the identification and analysis of function on gene related to the control of serotonin synthesis

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We showed the associations of factors related to the serotoninergic system with autism, in a trio association study. We further showed the significant difference of these factors' mRNA expression between the autistic and control groups in the postmortem brain. Thus, we suggest a possible role of these factors in the pathogenesis of autism. PET study indicated the gross abnormalities in the serotoninergic and cholinergic systems. A deficit in cholinergic innervations of the fusiform gyrus may be related to not only current but also childhood impairment of social functioning.