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 intranasal spray has demonstrated improved social interactions. 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 been also published. However, a most 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 that had the team had originally created in 2011. …show more content…
Although autism was not directly linked to oxytocin deficiency, oxytocin has been of keen interest to neuroscientists since the 1970s, when studies started to show that it could drive maternal behavior and social attachment. Oxytocin is the neuropeptide hormone that helps mothers to give birth and later focus her attention on the baby. Extensive past research proposes that oxytocin helps the brain to focus attention on another individual, leading many to believe it could be key to finding a treatment for …show more content…
Multiple sources from past research study, have provided genetic evidence and support for the potential role the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) has on different aspects of social behaviour. Using this evidence, Geshwin and team performed in vivo screening for drugs that target social behaviour in the Cntnap2 mouse model they originally generated.
Oxytocin is synthesized in two main hypothalamic regions (the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei (PVN)). It has been determined that OXT expressing neurons in the supraoptic(SON), project mainly to the posterior pituitary and are responsible for OXT release into the periphery, where OXT has an established role in neuroendocrine functions. However, OXT expressing neurons in the PVN project to other brain regions, including amygdale, hippocampus and frontal cortex; where their role in a number of behaviours such as fear, memory and social behaviour are receiving increased
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 intranasal spray has demonstrated improved social interactions. 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 been also published. However, a most 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 that had the team had originally created in 2011. …show more content…
Although autism was not directly linked to oxytocin deficiency, oxytocin has been of keen interest to neuroscientists since the 1970s, when studies started to show that it could drive maternal behavior and social attachment. Oxytocin is the neuropeptide hormone that helps mothers to give birth and later focus her attention on the baby. Extensive past research proposes that oxytocin helps the brain to focus attention on another individual, leading many to believe it could be key to finding a treatment for …show more content…
Multiple sources from past research study, have provided genetic evidence and support for the potential role the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) has on different aspects of social behaviour. Using this evidence, Geshwin and team performed in vivo screening for drugs that target social behaviour in the Cntnap2 mouse model they originally generated.
Oxytocin is synthesized in two main hypothalamic regions (the supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular nuclei (PVN)). It has been determined that OXT expressing neurons in the supraoptic(SON), project mainly to the posterior pituitary and are responsible for OXT release into the periphery, where OXT has an established role in neuroendocrine functions. However, OXT expressing neurons in the PVN project to other brain regions, including amygdale, hippocampus and frontal cortex; where their role in a number of behaviours such as fear, memory and social behaviour are receiving increased