According to the February 16 Washington Post article by Rob Stein, a nasal spray containing a hormone found in chocolate, oxytocin, is said to help people with autism, Oxytocin is supposed to help those with autism to make better eye contact and interact more effectively with other people, according to a study released on February 16, 2010, from the National Center for Scientific Research in France, that led the study. Oxytocin has been called the “love hormone” because it is thought to encourage closeness between mothers and their babies. In earlier research, oxytocin was found to help breast-feeding mothers bond with their infants. The study, published online by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, involved 13 adults with autism that found when they inhaled the hormone oxytocin they scored significantly better on a test that involved recognizing faces. Additionally, they performed better in a game of tossing a ball with other people. The researchers theorized that oxytocin has a positive effect on social behavior in people with autism. Oxytocin doesn't last long in the body, so “re-dosing” would be needed. The study's findings prompted the question as to whether drug companies will consider developing substances with similar benefits to those with autism.
In the past, research has indicated that some people with autism had low levels of oxytocin. However, further study is needed to determine if most people with autism have low levels of oxytocin and is so, should they have the oxytocin replaced? Another concern is what happens when the hormone is quickly removed from the body. These questions are part of ongoing research, including the question of whether those with autism take a hormone or increase their consumption of foods containing oxytocin. If there enough of the hormone in food to be effective, a nutritional approach that works better than a drug may be useful for children. At this point in autism research, the hormone offers some real hope for those on the autistic spectrum.
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