Psychiatry Res. 2003 Nov 1;121(1):51-7
Schott K, Schaefer JE, Richartz E, Batra A, Eusterschulte B, Klein
R, Berg PA, Bartels M, Mann K, Buchkremer G.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Tubingen,
Osianderstr. 24, D-72076, Tubingen, Federal Republic of Germany
Antibodies to serotonin in serum were investigated by ELISA in patients with paranoid schizophrenia (N=27), schizoaffective psychosis (N=38), depression (N=67), Alzheimer's disease (N=21), chronic alcoholism (N=43), rheumatoid arthritis (N=25), and multiple sclerosis (N=16), and in healthy volunteers (N=60).
Increased antibody reactivity to serotonin was found in schizoaffective psychosis, chronic alcoholism, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Decreased antibody reactivity to serotonin was found in multiple sclerosis and depression.
These anti-serotonin antibodies belong to the class of so-called natural autoantibodies.
Alterations of these natural autoantibodies could indicate a disturbance to the immune system.
It is possible that these antibodies could also influence receptor function.
Autoantibodies to neurotransmitters in a wide spectrum of psychiatric disorders have not previously been reported.