Love hormone could help Autistic people

US researchers have claimed that oxytocin has the capability to alter the brain activity, which can make children with autism more social.

10:57 03 December 2013

Oxytocin, which is dubbed as the love hormone, is produced by the body naturally. It triggers labour and is involved in mother and baby bonding. This hormone is now claimed by US researchers as something that can help children with autism more social.

The researchers conducted a study where they gave seventeen children with two nasal sprays. The first one contained oxytocin while the other one had no drug in it at all.

One of the researchers, Prof Kevin Pelphrey, discussed the result on BBC saying: "We are very excited by the findings, all 17 showed a response, although the response was variable.

"There's still lots of questions about oxytocin, but this suggests it enhances social brain functions and decreases non-social functions - helping kids to focus on socially relevant information."

However, Carol Povey, director of the National Autistic Society's centre for autism, said that the effect of Oxytocin on children with autism is still being studied.

"While the findings of this particular study are interesting, no hard and fast conclusions should be drawn.

"Autism is a very complex disability and can present a variety of challenges that extend beyond social difficulties.