Oxytocin offers hope for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

You’ve probably heard of oxytocin, a hormone released naturally during orgasm, breast feeding and labor. It’s manufactured versions Pitocin or Syntocinon are used to induce contractions for some women to aid in child birth. Well, the “love hormone” may also treat symptoms of Autistic Spectrum Disorders.

U.S. researchers are now doing a clinical trial on oxytocin to determine exactly how it can help young adults with Autism.
Dr. Eric Hollander, advisory board chairman and chairman of the psychiatry department at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, says giving oxytocin may improve social functioning and repetitive behaviors — regardless of the age of the patient.

“For the first time, certain core systems of autism may respond to treatment,” Hollander said in a statement. 

In the trial, autistic patients aged 18 and older, were given oxytocin nasally for 12 weeks. These autistic patients significantly reduced their repetitive behavior, and were better able to recognize anger or happiness in the tone of a speaker’s voice. Promising results were also provided in a similar age group who took the peptide intravenously, the study said.

Autistic Spectrum Disorders refers to a group of symptoms, like a profound inability to communicate and other developmental disorders — including Asperger’s Syndrome.

Oxytocin is nicknamed the “love hormone” because it is known to promote mother-infant bonds. It is also thought to be involved in the regulation of emotions and other social behaviors. Other research has found that children with autism have lower levels of oxytocin than children without autism.

Researchers say the results suggest further long-term studies are needed to examine the effects of oxytocin on social skills and behaviors in people with high-functioning autism.

As more and more children are exhibiting Autism Spectrum Disorders, this is a major breakthrough. If your child falls under the autism spectrum, this is definitely a story to keep tabs on.

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