Canadian researchers are starting to recruit patients for a new study to see whether oxytocin -- sometimes call the "cuddle hormone" -- could help with some of the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Oxytocin is a hormone released to induce labour, help with milk let-down during breastfeeding and to help mothers bond with their babies.
Researchers at Toronto's Holland Bloorview have received a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to run a randomized clinical trial to see if oxytocin can also help improve social functioning in kids and teens with autism.
People with autism seem to produce less of the hormone, so researchers hope to learn whether supplementing it through a nasal spray can help.
Twelve-year-old Gabriel Penner has just taken part in a pilot study of the unusual treatment. He says he sometimes struggles connecting with others -- one of the symptoms of his Asperger's Syndrome.
"I don't tend to interact with other people so much, generally, and I think being more social is definitely a good thing," he says.
After having Gabriel take the oxytocin nasal spray as part of the study, his mother says she noticed a difference.
"He was more interested and engaging with other people. And he was more affectionate with me and wanting to hug me and kiss me and that sort of thing," she says.
"I really liked that. What mom doesn't love more hugs and kisses?" she adds with a laugh.
Gabriel himself isn't so sure it made much of a difference.
Read more here:
Could the 'cuddle hormone' offer a treatment for autism?