Social impairments among children perinatally exposed to oxytocin or oxytocin receptor antagonist

Oxytocin (OT) is involved in modulating the social brain, suggesting that it may have a role in the etiology and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) [1 –4]. Clinical characteristics of ASD include impairments in social cognition and corresponding deficits in social behavior that are mediated in part by OT neural pathways [5]. Notably, there is some evidence that OT can cross the placenta and enter fetal circulation [6], and that OT and OT antagon ist (OTA) can penetrate the blood-brain barrier in small amounts [7,8].

Source: Early Human Development - February 5, 2017 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Edwa Friedlander, Ohad Feldstein, David Mankuta, Maya Yaari, Ayelet Harel-Gadassi, Richard P. Ebstein, Nurit Yirmiya Source Type: research