By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Oxytocin has long been called the “love hormone,” primarily because it is released at childbirth and during sex to aid in human bonding. It is now being used in the United States in a trial on young people with Autism spectrum disorders. Autism is a disorder that is marked by anti-social behavior and repetitive behaviors.
Dr. Eric Hollander, the Advisory Board Chairman for the International Center for Autism Research and Education and Chairman of Psychiatry at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, believes that giving oxytocin to Autistic persons may improve social skills and cut down on repetitive behaviors. He believes that the hormone therapy will be effective despite the age of the patient.
In the study, Autistic patients who were given oxytocin nasally for twelve weeks reduced their repetitive behavior and were able to identify moods in other people based on their tone of voice. Similar results were seen in the group that took oxytocin by injection. This new use for an established hormone may provide hope for parents of children with Autism.
Of course, use of drug therapy on the complicated disorder known as Autism has varying results. In addition, experts often time express different opinions as to the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of certain drug therapy and other efforts aimed at common behavioral and social components of Autism.
Read more details of the study at ‘Love hormone’ may reduce autism symptoms.