Mental Health & Platelet Serotonin: Mind Body Connection
- Sylvia Rose
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter linked to mood regulation. While often associated with brain function, serotonin is predominantly found in blood platelets. Platelet serotonin levels are linked to mental health conditions.
Platelets, the cells responsible for blood clotting, are created in the bone marrow. While seemingly unrelated to mental health, platelets contain a substantial amount of serotonin, aka 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT).
This neurotransmitter is outside the central nervous system, formed in the cells of the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Others, like dopamine, are also found in both the GI system and the brain.
Serotonin in the digestive system is produced mainly by enterochromaffin (EC) cells in the intestinal mucosa, from the food people eat. Some is made by enteric neurons, and GI bacteria like Streptococcus spp., Enterococcus spp. and Escherichia coli.
Foods rich in tryptophan, an amino acid used to make serotonin, can help increase serotonin levels. These include salmon, eggs, cheese, turkey, tofu, nuts, seeds, and pineapples. Complex carbohydrates aid in absorption of tryptophan by the brain.
The cells release serotonin into the blood circulatory system, where it's taken up by the platelets. Up to 95% of the body's total serotonin is stored in platelets.
The platelets capture serotonin from the bloodstream using the Serotonin Transporter (SERT), a protein also found in brain neurons. The uptake process regulates serotonin levels in the platelets and surrounding plasma.
Platelets release serotonin as needed. The way it's stored and regulated affects bodily functions, especially mental health issues like mood disorders, OCD and schizophrenia.
Serotonin in platelets is important to many physiological processes, including:
Wound Healing: Serotonin released from activated platelets contributes to vasoconstriction, limiting blood loss during injury.
Inflammation Modulation: Platelet serotonin can influence the inflammatory response to mitigate conditions related to chronic inflammation.
Bone Metabolism: Platelet serotonin is active in bone remodeling and strength.
The Link to Mental Health
Dysfunctions within this system are linked to mental health. Alterations in platelet serotonin levels and SERT activity are frequently found in people with depression and other mental health conditions.
Therapies targeting serotonin levels, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), affect serotonin transporters in both platelets and the brain.
Depression & Platelet Serotonin
Reduced Platelet Serotonin Levels: People with depression show lower levels of serotonin within platelets compared to healthy controls. This suggests a disruption in serotonin storage or uptake mechanisms.
Altered Serotonin Transporter (SERT) Activity: The SERT, which transports serotonin into platelets, is also a target of antidepressant medications. SERT activity in platelets can be altered in people with depression.
Treatment Response and Platelet Serotonin: Changes in platelet serotonin parameters, such as SERT activity, can be correlated with the response to antidepressant treatment. Platelet serotonin measurements are biomarkers to predict treatment efficacy.
Other Mental Health Conditions
Anxiety Disorders: Alterations in platelet serotonin and SERT function are observed in people with anxiety disorders.
Schizophrenia: People with schizophrenia show differences in platelet serotonin levels and SERT binding compared to healthy controls.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Some individuals with ASD may have elevated platelet serotonin levels. This is still under investigation.
Platelet Serotonin Transporter Activity
Activity of serotonin transporters is also important to health. Transporters reabsorb serotonin after its release. Abnormalities in their function are linked to psychiatric conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and bipolar disorder.
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