Autism Therapy: oxytocin

definition of oxytocin: Hormone normally produced in the body which is also a neurotransmitter. Oxytocin has been used as an alternative therapy for autism in adults. Oxytocin may improve social functioning and bonding for some people with autism. It plays a role in various behaviors including social recognition, pair bonding, anxiety, and maternal behaviors. It is sometimes referred to as the cuddle hormone.

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Oxytocin Shapes the Neural Circuitry of Trust and Trust Adaptation in Humans
Neuron, by Baumgartner, T., Heinrichs M., Vonlanthen A., Fischbacher U., and Fehr E., published in 2008, summarized Oct 24, 2008

Intranasal oxytocin may some day be a useful therapy for autism.

This study was designed to see how the brain responded to breaking of trust when a person had been given a treatment of the hormone oxytocin. People who faced social risks and were given oxytocin were much more likely to trust again after their trust had been broken. Oxytocin had its biggest effect when it was given at the same time as the person was getting social feedback (broken trust). The authors suggest that oxytocin may decrease the fear of social betrayal. Oxytocin also seemed to decrease the symptoms of social anxiety and stress.


Neuropeptides and Social Behavior: Effects of Oxytocin and Vasopressin in Humans
Progress in Brain Research, by Heinrichs, M., and Domes G., published in 2008, summarized Sep 22, 2008

Oxytocin may be a good treatment for autism.

This article reviews the role of the brain chemicals oxytocin and vasopressin on human behavior. Some of the social problems of people with autism mimic the problems seen in animals that lack oxytocin. Many people with autism also have low levels of oxytocin in their blood. Studies of genes have shown that people with autism often have a problem in the gene that codes for the protein that binds oxytocin (oxytocin receptor). Oxytocin can be given by infusion straight into the blood of the patient.


Impact of Prosocial Neuropeptides on Human Brain Function
Progress in Brain Research, by MeyerLindenberg, A., published in 2008, summarized Sep 18, 2008

Oxytocin may be a good therapy for the social anxiety that may be found with autism.

Disturbed social behavior may be a key factor in autism and anxiety. This review article describes the role of the brain chemicals vasopressin and oxytocin in social behavior. The author notes that in many cases, extremes in social behavior can be linked to vasopressin and oxytocin genes. For example, more social animals have more copies of an oxytocin gene. Many people with autism have differences in oxytocin genes and measures of levels of oxytocin in the blood.


Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders: Neurotransmitter Signaling Pathways Involved in Motivation and Reward as Therapeutic Targets
Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets, by Walker, MA, published in 2008, summarized Sep 2, 2008

Several brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) may be good targets for future autism therapy drugs.

This article reviews genetic causes of autism and describes future approaches to drug therapy. The behaviors of people with autism can vary quite a bit. A great deal of research is going on to try and understand the biology and chemistry that form the basis of these behaviors. Many brain chemicals have been linked to autism and these might be targets for drug therapy. Some of the brain chemicals include oxytocin, vasopressin, dopamine, GABA, and acetylcholine.


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Philadelphia is One of Top Cities in Autism Therapy and Research

Oct 20, 2011

Many locations have marvelous centers of therapy and research for children with autism, and this article shows specifically how Philadelphia has done it. This city is home to the Center for Autism Research (CAR) at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Drexel University’s Autism Public Health Research Institute. Not only is environmental and genetic research taking place on the potential causes of autism, but these facilities are looking at what makes effective therapies and how children with autism can grow to confident and independent adults with autism. Some of the research being done is on environmental factors in the home that may lead to autism. Other work is focusing on computer games to help children with autism recognize emotions and facial cues; studies will begin to add oxytocin, a natural hormone, to the research. A new registry, autismMatch, asks for volunteers with autism and without to answer a questionnaire that will match them to current or future studies.

Read original article: Philadelphia Becomes Hotbed of Autism Research


Inhaled Hormone as Autism Therapy?

Oct 17, 2011

A couple of recent articles we’ve read discuss the use of the naturally occurring hormone oxytocin with people with autism. Research is showing that oxytocin may help people with autism have less anxiety and increased emotional interaction. Oxytocin is produced by pregnant women in labor and is assumed to help the mom bond with her newborn. Oxytocin, delivered through an inhaler, may help people with social and developmental delays recognize emotions. Dr. Eric Hollander at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and his team specifically studied the use of oxytocin and the ability to recognize different vocal emotions when sentences were read aloud. They found that people with autism who used the inhaler were able to tell the difference in the emotions and retain that ability over time.

Read original article: Can an Inhaler Cure Autism?


Small Study Shows that Oxytocin May Help Children with Autism

Feb 26, 2010

Results of a small, evidence-based study have shown that oxytocin may help children with autism. Thirteen young people with high-functioning autism or Asperger’s and 13 young neuro-typical people were all given small amounts of oxytocin. Scientists measured social responses to both ball tossing and identifying social cues in pictures of human faces; they also measured the amount of oxytocin in the blood. Oxytocin is hormone that helps in childbirth and breastfeeding, but also may be important in regulating emotions. There are studies that have shown that children with autism may have lower levels of oxytocin. The important and exciting thing about this new study is that the scientists are testing in a controlled and rigorous way. This means that parents will soon be able to make decisions for their children based on science and not merely anecdotal evidence. Other supplements undergoing controlled study include methyl B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and a drug for Alzheimer, Namenda.

Read original article: Oxytocin-Autism Study: The Kind of Evidence-Based Research Parents Need


Studies Shed Light on Autism Effects and Treatment

Dec 5, 2006

Two studies, showing effects on the brain and potential treatment outcomes, were presented at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology.

In the first study, researchers gave adults with autism a form of oxytocin called pitocin (used to assist labor in pregnant women). Animal studies had shown that oxytocin played a role in parent-child bonding, social memory, social cognition, anxiety reduction, and repetitive behaviors. The adults in the study were tested on their ability to identify emotions and control repetitive behaviors.

The second study found that the brain's fear hub, amygdala, appears to be abnormally small in males with severe autism.

Read original article.


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