Neuropediatrics 2004; 35(1): 36-38
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-815789
Original Article

Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Cardiac Dysautonomia and Serotonin Plasma Levels in Rett Syndrome

F. Guideri 1 , M. Acampa 1 , P. Blardi 1 , 2 , A. de Lalla 1 , 2 , M. Zappella 3 , Y. Hayek 3
  • 1Department of Clinical Medicine and Immunological Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
  • 2Centre of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
  • 3Department of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Received: June 23, 2003

Accepted after Revision: November 20, 2003

Publication Date:
04 March 2004 (online)

Abstract

Background

In Rett syndrome the autonomic nervous system is abnormal at various levels, from the central to the peripheral nervous system. A role for serotoninergic dysfunction has been suggested.

Objectives

The aim of our study was to evaluate the relation between cardiac dysautonomia (expressed by means of heart rate variability) and plasma serotonin levels in girls affected with Rett syndrome. Heart rate variability and plasma serotonin levels were evaluated in 28 Rett girls aged 1 - 14 years. A Pearson correlation was used to determine whether there was a relationship between plasma serotonin levels and each heart rate variability parameter.

Results

In untreated Rett girls the plasma serotonin levels correlated with the sympathovagal balance, as expressed by the low frequency (LF) to high frequency (HF) ratio (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that cardiac dysautonomia could be linked to serotoninergic dysfunction and that treatment with a serotonin analogue could be useful in improving the sympathovagal balance.

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M. D. Francesca Guideri

Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Scienze Immunologiche · Sezione di Immunologia Clinica · Policlinico “Le Scotte”

Viale Bracci

53100 Siena

Italy

Email: guideri@unisi.it

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