Researchers have discovered that a nasal spray having oxytocin, a brain chemical linked with pair bonding, can help improve some autism symptoms.

In the research, which was conducted on 13 patients suffering from high-functioning autism, defined as those of normal or above-normal intelligence, scientists discovered that partakers who breathed in the nasal spray changed their behavior for the short term, turning friendlier and trustful.

Autism and Asperger’s, an interrelated condition, hinder the capability to speak or form relationships. The majority of people with such conditions find it hard even to meet someone else’s eye.

Elissar Andari, of the Institut des Sciences Cognitives, a French government centre for neuroscience research, in a summary of a recent conference presentation said, “Under oxytocin, patients with high-functioning autism respond more strongly to others and exhibit more appropriate social behaviour.”

In a review of her presentment to the Mediterranean Conference of Neuroscience, held in Egypt, Elissar stated that the outcomes hinted a remedial potential of oxytocin through its action on a core dimension of autism.

Dr Gina Owens, research leader at the National Autistic Society, said, “Further rigorous scientific evaluation is necessary before we can fully assess any potential benefits. As autism affects people in very different ways, any intervention that may help one person may not be effective for another.” (With Input from Agencies)