Is Oxytocin a potential treatment for social deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorders?
A principal feature of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is a deficit in social interaction and empathy. In animal and in (some human) studies, oxytocin administered as an intranasal spray has demonstrated improved social interactions (1-4). Past and current studies have provided some genetic evidence that suggests oxytocin pathways in the brain might be deficient in patients with ASDs, although conflicting evidence has also been published (1). However, a more recent experiment from a group of researchers has provided strong evidence for the improvement of social behaviour with the administration of oxytocin to a mouse model, originally created in 2011 (9). …show more content…
ASD is characterized by persistent impairment in reciprocal social interaction and communication (5). The severity and nature of the social deficit vary with the child’s age and developmental level, but the deficit is present from very early childhood and impairs functioning (5). Lack of interest in social contact and other characteristics that came to define the syndrome, such as delayed and abnormal language development, restricted interest in activities, and stereotypical and repetitive patterns of behavior, were described in the first case report (5). Thus, from its first description autism was proposed as a neurological disorder. The diagnosis was broadened to include infants, children, and adults at all cognitive levels as well as those with neurogenetic syndromes if they met behavioral diagnostic …show more content…
Researchers are also concerned by parents of children with autism spectrum disorder who readily use oxytocin off-label before it has been thoroughly tested (6). Furthermore, some studies have found that the prolonged use can worsen rather than improve autism symptoms (7). Another issue involved in oxytocin and autism is the nature of the disorder, it is caused by many genes and a lot of different things can make the brain have problems relating to social situations (7). Not everyone responds in the same way either (8). The type of treatment a child needs depends on the symptoms, which are different for each child and may change over time
A principal feature of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is a deficit in social interaction and empathy. In animal and in (some human) studies, oxytocin administered as an intranasal spray has demonstrated improved social interactions (1-4). Past and current studies have provided some genetic evidence that suggests oxytocin pathways in the brain might be deficient in patients with ASDs, although conflicting evidence has also been published (1). However, a more recent experiment from a group of researchers has provided strong evidence for the improvement of social behaviour with the administration of oxytocin to a mouse model, originally created in 2011 (9). …show more content…
ASD is characterized by persistent impairment in reciprocal social interaction and communication (5). The severity and nature of the social deficit vary with the child’s age and developmental level, but the deficit is present from very early childhood and impairs functioning (5). Lack of interest in social contact and other characteristics that came to define the syndrome, such as delayed and abnormal language development, restricted interest in activities, and stereotypical and repetitive patterns of behavior, were described in the first case report (5). Thus, from its first description autism was proposed as a neurological disorder. The diagnosis was broadened to include infants, children, and adults at all cognitive levels as well as those with neurogenetic syndromes if they met behavioral diagnostic …show more content…
Researchers are also concerned by parents of children with autism spectrum disorder who readily use oxytocin off-label before it has been thoroughly tested (6). Furthermore, some studies have found that the prolonged use can worsen rather than improve autism symptoms (7). Another issue involved in oxytocin and autism is the nature of the disorder, it is caused by many genes and a lot of different things can make the brain have problems relating to social situations (7). Not everyone responds in the same way either (8). The type of treatment a child needs depends on the symptoms, which are different for each child and may change over time