Oxytocin Nasal Spray can Improve Social and Behavioral Skills of Children with Autism

A recent study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, claims that the synthetic hormone Oxytocin may provide a potential treatment that improves the social and behavioral skills associated with autism. Usage of Oxytocin in the form of nasal sprays has been found to possibly benefit autistic children, reports ABC News.

"The potential to use such simple treatments to enhance the longer-term benefits of other behavioral, educational and technology-based therapies is very exciting," study co-author Ian Hickie, co-director of the Brain and Mind Center at University of Sydney.

According to US News, as part of this study, Researchers at the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Institute studied 31 children aged three to eight who were diagnosed with autism and they were monitored for over 15 weeks. Oxytocin nasal spray was given twice a day for five weeks. The researchers reported that the autistic kids who received the nasal spray showed significant improvements as compared to the kids who did not receive the treatment.

Alycia Halladay, Chief science officer with the Autism Science Foundation, claims that "Previous studies of oxytocin for autism symptoms have used injection, which is not feasible for chronic or repeated administration. 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, oxytocin does not improve all symptoms of autism. It should be used in conjunction with other therapies.", reports US News.

However, experts claim that the side effects of the nasal spray treatment includes thirst and constipation, and thus cannot be claimed as a cure for the betterment of social interactions in autistic children, reports Daily Mail.