Inhaling the synthetic hormone oxytocin (multiple brands) led to significant improvements in social interactions in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a randomized, double- blind crossover study conducted in Australia. "We used some of the most widely used assessments of social responsiveness for children with autism," Adam Guastella, PhD, of the Autism Clinic for Translational Research, Brain and Mind Centre, at the University of Sydney, said in a statement. "We found that following oxytocin treatment, parents reported their child to be more socially responsive at home, and our own blind, independent clinician ratings also supported improved social responsiveness in the therapy rooms of the Brain and Mind Centre," Dr Guastella added.
The study was published online October 27 in Molecular Psychiatry. Significant Effects Participants included 31 children (27 boys) aged…
