Jul 25, 2015 01:01 AM
"A brain chemistry deficit in children with an autism spectrum disorder may contribute to their social difficulties, according to a new study.
Researchers discovered an association between low levels of the hormone vasopressin and inability of children with autism spectrum disorders to understand that other people have different perspectives. First the researchers confirmed that levels of vasopressin in the blood accurately reflected levels in the brain. Then, they recruited 159 children for neurocognitive assessments and blood testing. 57 had an autism spectrum disorder, 47 were typically developing, but had a sibling with an ASD and 55 were typically developing with no brothers or sisters on the spectrum. The researchers found low, medium and high levels of vasopressin in all three groups. But while typically developing children scored well on mind tests regardless of their blood levels, children with an autism spectrum disorder and low vasopressin showed poor ability to understand that other people’s thoughts and motivations could be different than theirs.
The researchers are now investigating whether vasopressin treatment improves social ability in children with an autism spectrum disorder."===http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/video...72315.html
Researchers discovered an association between low levels of the hormone vasopressin and inability of children with autism spectrum disorders to understand that other people have different perspectives. First the researchers confirmed that levels of vasopressin in the blood accurately reflected levels in the brain. Then, they recruited 159 children for neurocognitive assessments and blood testing. 57 had an autism spectrum disorder, 47 were typically developing, but had a sibling with an ASD and 55 were typically developing with no brothers or sisters on the spectrum. The researchers found low, medium and high levels of vasopressin in all three groups. But while typically developing children scored well on mind tests regardless of their blood levels, children with an autism spectrum disorder and low vasopressin showed poor ability to understand that other people’s thoughts and motivations could be different than theirs.
The researchers are now investigating whether vasopressin treatment improves social ability in children with an autism spectrum disorder."===http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/video...72315.html