Scientists from the University of Oslo in Norway conducted a study that looked into the possibility of using oxytocin nasal spray to help cure— or at least ease— mental conditions, as well as autism, in patients.
The research, which was done in collaboration with Pennsylvania-based
company OptiNose, was made based around the idea from recent researches
that the hormone oxytocin is capable of boosting neuronal signals,
which in turn helps the brain become more attuned to social cues such as
facial expressions— something that individuals with autism are believed
to be struggling with.
The scientists believe that drug delivery through nasal spray is far
more effective than through the use of other mediums, as it makes the
delivery of the drug to the brain far faster.
According to OptiNose, the type of technology that they were able to
come up with delivers the drugs to the upper part of the nose, which is
thought to be the best target in the nasal area to get the drugs to the
brain more effectively.
The research involved a small clinical trial with 16 healthy adult
participants. The scientists administered low and high doses of oxytocin
to the participants through the nasal sprays, as well as an intravenous
dose of the hormone.
The scientists noted that the oxytocin nasal spray in low doses
appeared to be far more effective than that of the ones in high doses,
while the intravenous doses given to the participants did not seem to
have any effect on them at all.
According to study author and University of Oslo Professor Ole Andreassen:
“A dose that is lower, but that still influences behavior, will entail a lower risk of affecting other regulatory systems in the body. Very high doses of oxytocin could, in fact, have the opposite effect on social behavior.”
Results of the tests were measured based on how the participants
scored in a test involving emotional ratings, where they were asked to
identify different facial expressions.
The study was published in the journal Translational Psychiatry.
The scientists are planning on testing the oxytocin nasal sprays on
individuals with mental disorders, and are hoping to expand their
research in the near future.
Source : Autism Daily News Cast , 12th Sep 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment