Oxytocin is a nine-amino acid peptide; a hormone that is produced both by men and women. Its primary function is to help us bond to one another- in particular, mothers to their children, which is why it is produced in copious quantities during pregnancy. Its mode of action is to assist in intra-neural communication, and seems to have some antipsychotic capabilities. This is exactly why it has been considered to improve social communications within the population of folks that seem to lack that ability- those with ASD- autism spectrum disorder- and schizophrenia.
Schizoprenics do not tend to demonstrate much emotion, may manifest paranoia, and don’t speak to others. Current medications can control the paranoia, but not the other symptoms. Likewise, ASD patients tend to be withdrawn (and not form relationships). Social skill training has limited benefits for this population.
In 2008, Drs. Bartz and Hollander of the Albert Einstein School of Medicine reviewed (Progress in Brain Research) the use of oxytocin in ASD. The article discussed the benefits of both intravenous and intranasal administration. The oxytocin administration reduced the repetitive behaviors and the irritability of ASD subjects. Moreover, in one such study (conducted by Hollander), the administration of oxytocin were able to identify emotions more readily.
Dr. Feifel et. al (UC San Diego) built on these results. Their testing administered oxytocin every day for three weeks to 19 subjects. The results, presented in Biological Psychiatry, demonstrated that paranoia was decreased; moreover, the ability of the patients to function normally was improved. (The patients continued to take their normal antipsychotic medications, during this study). Once the subjects were switched to placebos (saline), the effects dissipated among the test subjects.
Drs. Averbeck, Bobin, Evans, and Shergill (NIH and Kings College [London]) reported in Psychological Medicine their small study on the effect of oxytocin (administered via the nose) on schizophrenia. The 21 patients were tested for their ability to recognize facial expressions. Their test did not involve a daily administration of oxytocin.
Each of the 21 subjects underwent two sessions, separated by a week’s rest. After the nasal administration of 24 IU of oxytocin or a placebo (saline), the subjects were asked to identify various facial expressions (with morphed and unmorphed faces). Within 50 minutes of oxytocin administration, positive results were found. Now, the researchers are seeking to amplify the small, but significant, changes- and to determine what neural pathways are being affected.
None of this is terribly surprising. The real problem is that once the dosage has dissipated in the body, the results attenuate. Which means there needs to be a means to continually administer this drug to the subjects.
Very interesting post today, Roy. Interesting research, too. I’ve noticed that you post frequently something that would be ASD related. I have a friend from high school who wrote the book Now I See the Moon. It’s about her and her son whom she adopted. He is autistic. It’s an amazing story. She is also the creator of The Miracle Project.
ASD has been among my research interests. Hence, my need/ability to stay up to date with the current findings.
Thanks for your comments, Bonnie. And, I’m vaguely familiar with The Miracle Project- which employs the arts (mostly music, I recall) to draw in/out ASD patients.
Roy
Yes Mam Bonnie Anderson, I am totally agree with you she is really creator of that project. But I dont this that it is ASD related How can you say this.
John:
I think Bonnie was responding to the series of posts that I have written about ASD. Not to this one post per se, although ASD is clearly mentioned herein. I hope that clears up the confusion.
Other than the need to continuously administer the oxytocin, it sounds very promising. I’m always interested in what might help people with ASD. What are your thoughts about methods to give the drug continuously?
Well, besides the costs, Leanne, I am unsure about the health affects of continuous administration- and even less sure of the safety considerations. That’s the problem. We want long lasting results from a short-duration chemical…
Roy
Interesting. My experience with schizophrenic clients does not at all sound like the description above. Hmm.
What I found was an underlying theme of,”If you won’t allow me to be part of your world then you will not be part of mine.” Many amazing artists carry that label. I personally never met those aloof non-connecting behaviors. Wondering if that is me because I know that is one of my gifts–connecting instantly.
One thing all families need to know–the symptoms of schizophrenia are mimicked my mercury poisoning. I had a 20-year-old client with that diagnosis. The first thing I advise clients to do is remover all amalgam (silver) fillings. ALL kinds of health issues (fibromyalgia, Parkinsons, schizophrenia–to name a few) disappear instantly. So. before putting someone on an anti-psychotic drug end them to an expert dentist to replace all the silver fillings. Very dangerous procedure–must be done by a specialist dentist.
I can’t argue with your first paragraph, Ali, but my experience (as an observer, not a therapist) matches the article, as presented.
Regarding the second paragraph- the only kind words I can add- are malarkey.
There is ABSOLUTELY NO SCIENTIFIC DATA to substantiate these bizarre claims made by these “specialist dentists”.
An extensive review by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services concluded that “there is scant evidence that the health of the vast majority of people with amalgam is compromised or that removing fillings has a beneficial effect on health.” In January 1998, the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs issued a report on dental amalgam safety, with emphasis on studies that had been published since the US HHS review. The report concluded:Millions of people have amalgam restorations in their mouths, and millions more will receive amalgam for restoring their carious [decayed] teeth. Over the years, amalgam has been used for dental restorations without evidence of major health problems. Newly developed techniques have demonstrated that minute levels of mercury are released from amalgam restorations, but no health consequences from exposure to such low levels of mercury released from amalgam restorations have been demonstrated. Given the available scientific information and considering the demonstrated benefits of dental amalgams, unless new scientific research dictates otherwise, there currently appears to be no justification for discontinuing the use of dental amalgam.
Even Consumers Union has presented the same results.
Roy
Another great topic Sir roy, nice to know about this..
Fatima Hipolito recently posted..רפלקסולוגיה
Glad you liked it, Fatima!
Thanks for your reply sir, I really like it..
Fatima Hipolito recently posted..יועצת שינה
Glad to oblige, Fatima!
Love the sleep consultant idea (which is also available here in the states with http://www.readysetsleep.com)
Thanks for the link sir, I will check this out..
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