Oxytocin, the "love hormone," has behavioral, social and emotional benefits to children with autism, HealthDay reported.
Researchers from the University of Sydney conducted a small study involving 31 autistic children ages 3 to 8. The children were given oxytocin nasal spray twice a day, and after five weeks, the researchers observed marked improvement in the children's behavioral, social and emotional problems.
"We used some of the most widely used assessments of social responsiveness for children with autism," Adam Guastella, associate professor at the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre, said in a press release. "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."
The researchers said this is the first time that a drug treatment for autistic children provided such benefits to the patients. The children also generally showed tolerance for the oxytocin nasal spray. The common side effects reported were constipation, thirst and urination.
"The potential to use such simple treatments to enhance the longer-term benefits of other behavioural, educational and technology-based therapies is very exciting," Ian Hickie, study co-author and Brain and Mind Centre co-director, said in the press release.
"Previous studies of oxytocin for autism symptoms have used injection, which is not feasible for chronic or repeated administration," Alycia Halladay, chief science officer at the Autism Science Foundation who was not involved in the study, told HealthDay. "By showing that oxytocin can be put in a nasal spray and still improve some symptoms of autism, it makes this treatment more accessible for many who might benefit."
However, Halladay recommended that oxytocin treatment be given "in conjunction with other therapies."
The study was published in the Oct. 27 online issue of Molecular Psychiatry.
