Oxytocin Promotes Social Behavior in Patients with Asperger Syndrome

Oxytocin enhanced social interaction and eye contact.

Individuals with Asperger syndrome (AS) or high-functioning autism (HFA) have normal intelligence but limited ability to understand and engage in social situations. Oxytocin promotes mother–infant attachment, approach behaviors, and stress regulation in mammals, and children with autism have significantly lower plasma oxytocin levels than children without autism. Researchers in France examined whether oxytocin promotes prosocial behavior in 13 young adults (age range, 17–39) with AS or HFA by comparing the effects of oxytocin with behavior during a control condition and behavior of matched controls.

AS-HFA participants received intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) or placebo 50 minutes before behavioral testing on 2 separate days. To measure social i…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics