Cuddle hormone to treat autism

By welshie

Wed 4 Jul 2007 22:51

i know there are a few people here this may interest and wondered what your views are

A BRAIN chemical dubbed the cuddle hormone is being used to treat syptoms of autism.
A daily nasal spray based on oxytocin,which regulates emotion and social skills,is being used by adults with autism in a clinical trial at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.
Autism is a developmental disorder and syptoms include poor social skills,difficulty movements such as rocking or twirling.
some research ahs suggested that low levels of oxytocin may be involved in the development of the condition.
animal studies have found that the hormone plays a role in a variety of behaviours,including social bonding,memory,anxiety reduction and repetive behaviours.
some early results showed that when given intravenously, oxytocin led to rapid deduction in repetitive behaviors.
Researchers believe the new treatment will have beneficial effects on the mood and behaviour of the men and women on the trials.