‘Cuddle’ hormone could help with autism

Treatment with the “cuddle” hormone oxytocin can improve the social abilities of some children with autism, research has shown.

Scientists used a nasal spray to administer the hormone or an inactive “dummy” placebo to 32 autistic children twice daily for a month. Children who had the lowest natural levels of oxytocin responded most to the hormone and showed the greatest improvements in social behaviour.

They found it easier to engage socially with other children than they did before the treatment. But oxytocin did not reduce repetitive behaviour, another autistic trait, or anxiety.

Oxytocin is known to promote social bonding and has been nicknamed the “cuddle” hormone.