Loading...
For people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), naloxone (primarily, an antagonist of mu-opioid receptors) is widely used for aggressive behaviors. More recently, oxytocin has been given to increase sociality. But, effects of the combination have been untested. These researchers examined the combination in two experiments using interactions between pairs of nonhuman primates.
One macaque of each pair intranasally received oxytocin, naloxone, both drugs, or saline (control). In one experiment, macaques were placed facing each other for measurements of mutual eye gaze. In the second experiment, after a tone was sounded, both macaques received either orange juice or no juice; meanwhile, the researchers assessed facial gaze. Ratings began after …